Assange Lawyer: We've Got Half Bail Cash

2:46pm UK, Wednesday December 15, 2010

Carole Erskine and Natalie Fahy, Sky News Online

Half of the cash needed to free WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange on bail has been raised, his lawyer has told Sky News.

Mr Stephens said half of the £200,000 needed had been raised

Mark Stephens said that £100,000 had so far been collected, of the £200,000 set as a surety by the court.

Assange is fighting extradition to Sweden, where he has been accused of sex offences, and is currently being held in solitary confinement at HMP Wandsworth.

Unusually, the bail money will be collected in cash by Assange's legal team, because of the ongoing dispute between Wikileaks, credit card giants Master Card and Visa, and online payment service PayPal.

A judge decided on Tuesday to grant Assange bail.

But the whistleblower will now have to appear at the High Court tomorrow, after Swedish prosecutors appealed against the decision.

It is maintained that if granted bail, Mr Assange will fail to surrender and there is no condition which can allay the court's fear.

Swedish prosecuters give their grounds for appealing

Mr Stephens attacked the Swedish authorities' decision to appeal.

"The Swedes will not abide with the umpire's decision and they want to put Mr Assange through yet more trouble, more expense and more hurdles," he said.

"They clearly will not spare any expense to keep Mr Assange in jail. This is really turning into a show trial."

A friend has told Sky News Assange believes he will be sent to the US if he is extradited to Sweden.

There has been a furious backlash from some US politicians following WikiLeaks' publication of classified cables between American embassies and Washington.

Frontline Club founder Vaughan Smith has offered to house the 39-year-old if he is released.

Mr Smith told Sky: "I've known Julian Assange for about five months. I've met him and seen a side of his character that hasn't been reflected in the news you see.

"He is quite a warm person, completely self-depreciatory and I believe he is completely trustworthy.

"He clearly believes that, if he goes to Sweden, they will actually send him to America - that's what he believes."

Julian Assange in a prison van leaving court

Assange is wanted in Sweden over claims he sexually assaulted two women during a visit to Stockholm in August.

But his supporters claim the criminal inquiry and extradition request is unfair and politically motivated.

He was denied bail at his first court appearance last week on the grounds he could flee the country.

High-profile supporters, including socialite Jemima Khan, novelist Tariq Ali, campaigner Bianca Jagger and film-maker Ken Loach, offered sureties.

They were joined by veteran journalist John Pilger, gay rights activist Peter Tatchell and Mr Smith.