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16:20 GMT
LONDON, Dec 7 (KUNA) -- Wikileaks founder Julian Assange was remanded in
custody Tuesday after appearing in court here on an extradition warrant.
The 39-year-old Australian is wanted by prosecutors in Sweden over claims
of sexually assaulting two women.
District Judge Howard Riddle refused bail on the grounds there was a risk
Assange would fail to surrender.
Assange was ordered to appear again before City of Westminster Magistrates'
Court on December 14.
Jemima Khan, the sister of Conservative MP Zac Goldsmith, film director Ken
Loach and veteran journalist John Pilger all offered to stand as surety for
Assange.
Gemma Lindfield, lawyer for the Swedish authorities, told the court that
Assange was wanted in connection with four allegations.
She said the first complainant, Miss A, said she was victim of "unlawful
coercion" on the night of August 14 in Stockholm.
The court heard Assange is accused of using his body weight to hold her
down in a sexual manner.
The second charge alleged Assange "sexually molested" Miss A by having
intercourse with her.
The third charge claimed Assange "deliberately molested" Miss A on August
18 "in a way designed to violate her sexual integrity".
The fourth charge accused Assange of having sex with a second woman, Miss
W, on August 17 while she was asleep at her Stockholm home.
Assange, who appeared pale but calm in the dock, confirmed his name and
date of birth at the request of the court clerk.
There was confusion over his address as he asked whether it was "for
correspondence or for some other reason". Assange, who was accompanied by
officials from the Australian High Commission, eventually gave an address in
his native country.
The one-hour court hearing came just hours after Assange was arrested by
appointment when he attended a central London police station.
A European Arrest Warrant issued by the Swedish authorities was received by
officers at the Metropolitan Police extradition unit last night.
An earlier warrant, issued last month, was not valid as officials had
failed to fill in the form properly.
The court heard that the "household names" were prepared to stake their
reputation by offering sureties with a total value of 180,000 pounds. (end)
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