The founder of whistle-blowing website Wikileaks, Julian Assange, has been refused bail by a court in London. He has however vowed to fight extradition to Sweden. Mr Assange denied the charges against him of sexually assaulting two women in Sweden. He has been remanded in custody pending a hearing next week.
A judge at City of Westminster Magistrates' Court refused bail because of the risk of the 39-year-old fleeing. A Wikileaks spokesman said the arrest was an attack on media freedom and pledged to continue with publishing. After the court appearance Mr Assange's lawyer Mark Stephens said he will be applying again for bail. He claimed the charges against his client were politically motivated.
Meanwhile, The Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd said those who originally leaked the documents were legally liable. Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard has called the release of the cables grossly irresponsible. Washington has called their publication irresponsible and an attack on the international community.
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