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) he.hb KUNA 071920 Dec 10NNNN