Julian Assange Freed on Bail

Julian Assange freed on bail - but back in court in early January to fight extradition!

He naturally denies the charges of sex assault brought by the Swedish authorities who are applying for his extradition next month.  (Still find it strange that this should come up now - but maybe I am just sceptical).

Mr Justice Ouseley ordered Mr Assange be released on payment of £240,000 in cash and sureties and on condition he resides at an address in East Anglia.  He will be tagged and will be required to report into the local police station regularly but will essentially be free.  Speaking on the steps of the High Court to dozens of journalists, Mr Assange said: "It's great to feel the fresh air of London again."  

He went on to thank "all the people around the world who had faith" in him, his lawyers for putting up a "brave and ultimately successful fight", people who provided money in the face of "great difficulty and aversion", members of the press and the British justice system.  "If justice is not always an outcome, at least it is not dead yet," he added.  "I hope to continue my work and continue to protest my innocence in this matter and to reveal as we get it, which we have not yet, the evidence from these allegations."

He has been in jail for the last 8 nights but will now stay at a manor home on the Norfolk-Suffolk border owned by Vaughan Smith, a Wikileaks-supporting journalist and owner of the Frontline Club in London.

Mr Assange's solicitor, Mark Stephens, said after the court appearance the bail appeal was part of a "continuing vendetta by the Swedes".

An appeal has been made against the granting of bail but no one is owning up to making it!  The Crown Prosecution Service said they were acting on behalf of the Swedish government and the Swedish Director of Prosecutions said they fully supported the appeal - but a spokesperson from the Swedish Prosecutor's office claimed it was "a purely British decision".

Speaking to the BBC after his release, he said there was a rumour from his lawyers in the US that there had been an indictment made against him there.

Mr Assange's mother, Christine, said she was "very, very happy" with the decision and thanked his supporters.

"I can't wait to see my son and to hold him close. I had faith that the British justice system would do the right thing and the judge would uphold the magistrates' decision, and that faith has been reaffirmed," she said.

And so it goes on.  More leaks - more accusations - more leaks!! The more fuss the more people want to hear more leaks - obvious isn't it?  Ignore it and the furore will die down!! Wont it?