WikiLeaks founder granted bail

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The founder of WikiLeaks, Julian Assange, was granted bail for 240,000 pounds (about US$360,000) in a London court on Tuesday ahead of a full extradition hearing on Jan. 11.

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But Assange will remain in custody for at least 48 hours as Gemma Lindfield, the lawyer working for Sweden, has already said she will probably appeal the judge's decision.

Other bail conditions include having to give up his passport, obey a curfew, wear an electronic tag and report to a local police station every evening.

Assange, who is trying to avoid being extradited to Sweden over sexual assault claims, arrived at the City of Westminster Magistrates' Court on Tuesday afternoon from his cell at Wandsworth jail for a new appeal to secure bail.

During the previous hearing in London last week, Assange was refused bail by the judge on the grounds that there was a risk that he would fail to surrender. He has remained in police custody since being arrested on four sexual offense charges.

Britain has received a European arrest warrant from Sweden, and officers from Scotland Yard detained the 39-year-old Australian on Dec. 7 after he voluntarily went to a police station in central London.

Two women in Sweden accused Assange of sexually attacking them when he visited the country in August, but Assange denied the claims.

The Swedish authorities urged Britain to extradite Assange to the country to face charges.

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