Assange Loses Final Bid to Escape Extradition

A file picture dated 02 February 2012 of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange arriving at the Supreme Court in London. EPA/BGNES

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has lost his last appeal that aimed at blocking his extradition to Sweden to face sex offence charges.

The British Supreme Court dismissed the Australian's appeal to re-open the case on Thursday. In a statement, the court said the court the application "is without merit."

The court also ruled that Assange should not be extradited until 14 days from today's judgement, that is, until June 28.

Lawyers for Assange had requested the move in response to a ruling by the court on May 30 that the extradition on the basis of a European arrest warrant could go ahead.

Assange's legal team now has 14 days to apply to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg to hear his case, according to The Independent.

The 40-year-old Australian is accused of raping one woman and "sexually molesting and coercing" another in Stockholm in August 2010, but he claims the allegations against him are politically motivated.

Assange's Wikileaks website published material from leaked diplomatic cables embarrassing several governments.

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