Julian Assange is given right to appeal

WIKILEAKS FOUNDER Julian Assange has been given the right to appeal against his extradition to Sweden over sex crime charges by the UK Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

A hearing is set for February next year and will last for two days, according to the CPS. There Assange will appear before the UK Supreme Court, make his case and await the court's ruling.

If it denies his appeal Assange can then appeal to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in Strasbourg, which will respond within 14 days. If it refuses to hear his appeal then that will be the end of the matter as far as the UK government is concerned and he can be extradited as soon as Sweden wants to fly him over.

If it does hear his appeal though, the UK government will have to respond. "If it is prepared to take the case then it will not only confirm this but also issue a direction to Her Majesty's Government that he should not be surrendered to Sweden whilst the ECHR considers the claim," says a statement that explains possible extradition delays.

Assange would also have to apply to the High Court in London for an injunction to prevent his extradition to Sweden by the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA), the statement adds. µ