Assange extradition case to go to Supreme Court

Britain's highest court yesterday granted permission for Julian Assange to appeal against his extradition to Sweden, where he faces sex crime allegations.

The Supreme Court said it would hear the appeal after the founder of WikiLeaks raised a question on extradition law "of general public importance". The two-day hearing will begin on 1 February.

The appeal will be heard by a panel of seven of the 12 Supreme Court justices. If Mr Assange loses his appeal, his remaining option will be to take his case to the European Court of Human Rights.

He argues that it would be "unfair and unlawful" for Britain to order his extradition.

Swedish officials want him to answer accusations of raping one woman and "sexually molesting and coercing" another.

He denies the allegations and says they are politically motivated.