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Australia says to provide Assange with consular support
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The US State Department says the United States has no involvement in the arrest of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange in Britain. But it stressed the US would continue its own investigation. Meanwhile, Australia says it will provide Assange with consular support.
Assange on Tuesday surrendered to Scotland Yard to answer a warrant issued by Sweden for his arrest over sex crimes.
The US State Department said the United States denied any involvement in the legal proceedings in Britain.
State Department Spokesman P.J. Crowley called the case "an issue between Britain and Sweden," adding the US is conducting its own investigation.
P.J. Crowley, U.S. State Department Spokesman, said, "What we're investigating is a crime under US law. The provision of 250,000 classified documents from someone inside the government to someone outside the government is a crime."
Crowley did not answer questions about whether the US would seek to extradite Assange to the United States.
Meanwhile, Australian Foreign Minister, Kevin Rudd, said on Wednesday that his government would support Assange with consular assistance like they would with any other Australian citizen.
Kevin Rudd, Australian Foreign Minister, said, "We received a telephone call from Mr. Assange yesterday seeking consular support and assistance. Secondly, of course that was responded to positively as we would respond to any such request from any other Australian in those circumstances."
According to British law, Assange will face the following extradition process.
Assange has made an initial appearance in a London court over sex crime allegations.
He is due back at the same court for an extradition hearing on December 14th.
If the District Judge is satisfied that Assange is wanted for the crimes in question, that extradition would not breach his human rights and there are no other legal bars, then the court will order him to be extradited to Sweden.
If there is no appeal, he must be extradited within 10 days.
However, Assange can appeal against the decision.
The appeal process at London's High Court must commence within 40 days.
Should the High Court uphold the extradition decision, a further appeal can be made to Britain's Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court ruling is the last stage of the process.
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