Court opens door for Assange extradition

Judge Howard Riddle said the allegations of rape and sexual molestation by two women against Assange.

Julian Assange can be extradited to Sweden in a sex crimes inquiry,a British judge ruled Thursday,rejecting claims by the WikiLeaks founder that he would not face a fair trial there. Assanges lawyer said he would appeal.

Judge Howard Riddle said the allegations of rape and sexual molestation by two women against Assange meet the definition of extraditable offenses and said the Swedish warrant had been properly issued and was valid.

Assange,39,a key figure in the release of tens of thousands of secret US government and military documents,has been out on bail during the extradition fight. He has seven days to appeal the ruling in British courts.

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After hearing three days of testimony,Riddle concluded,There is simply no reason to believe there has been a mistake about the European Arrest Warrant issued by Swedish authorities.

The judge rejected the claim that comments made against Assange by Swedish prosecutors and politicians would pervert the course of justice.

Assanges lawyers also said that Swedens custom of hearing rape cases behind closed doors meant he would not get a fair trial,but Riddle said the practice was common in Sweden.

Assanges lawyers have questioned Swedens judicial process and expressed concern that their client risks being handed over to the US,which is investigating if WikiLeaks violated US laws by distributing secret government documents.

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The judge said it was wrong for the defense to raise the question of a possible extradition to the US or the US prison in Guantanamo Bay,Cuba,given the absence of any evidence that Assange risks torture or execution.