WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was set free on bail at the High Court this evening as his lawyers accused the Swedish authorities of waging a “vendetta” against him.
The 39-year-old whistleblower is wanted in Sweden for alleged sex offences which he denies. He is facing extradition proceedings in the new year.
Speaking outside the High Court, Mr Assange said: “It’s great to smell the fresh air of London again.”
He vowed to “continue his work and protest his innocence” after being released on bail. Mr Assange added that his legal team would be revealing evidence relating to allegations of sexual assault made against him “as we get it, which we have not yet”.
Mr Assange thanked "all the people around the world who have had faith in me", and the British justice system "where if justice is not always an outcome, at least it is not dead yet".
Earlier this week, the City of Westminster Magistrates’ Court initially granted him bail pending the bid to extradite.
But the Australian remained in prison while the Swedish Judicial Authorities challenged his release at the High Court in London, arguing that there was “a real risk” he would abscond.
Today, Mr Justice Ouseley upheld bail after Mr Assange’s supporters came up with £200,000 as a cash deposit and a number of other sureties were accepted by the judge.
The judge ruled Mr Assange’s co-operation with the Metropolitan Police suggested he was not “a person who is seeking to evade justice” and he clearly wanted to clear his name.
If the evidence was correct, there were also “two views” being taken in Sweden on the strength of the prosecution case against him. That would give Mr Assange some basis for believing he might be acquitted following a trial, making it less likely that he would attempt to abscond, said the judge.
Later Mr Assange’s solicitor Mark Stephens said he was “utterly delighted” with the judge’s ruling, but added: “We think it was an unnecessary appeal ... and it really evidences part of a continuing vendetta on the part of the Swedes against Julian Assange.
“We obtained costs today on behalf of Mr Assange but in truth the Swedes should pay those funds and not our hard-pressed Crown Prosecution Service.”
Mr Assange made powerful enemies around the world as his website published 250,000 sensitive United States diplomatic cables.
Mr Assange’s mother Christine said she was “very, very happy” with the judge’s Ruling. “I can’t wait to see my son and to hold him close,” she said. “I had faith in the British justice system to do the right thing, and that faith has been confirmed today.”
At the start of today’s hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice, the judge refused a request that reporters and others in court be allowed to send out messages of the proceedings on Twitter.
But Twitter was later used by many to celebrate the bail victory.
Bianca Jagger tweeted: “Pleased, due process functioned #JulianAssange #WikiLeaks has been granted bail & would b release.: He said: he trusts British Justice.”
US director Michael Moore tweeted: “WikiLeaks’ Assange finally granted bail. Judge shoots down Swedish appeal. NYTimes reports US govt trying to find ways to arrest him.”
An earlier message from Mr Moore read: “Leaks don’t kill people, secrets do.”
Bail conditions require Mr Assange to remain in the country. When he is released from custody, his accommodation will be upgraded from his prison cell at Wandsworth in London - to a country retreat owned by Vaughan Smith, the founder of London’s Frontline club. The East Anglia property is set on 600 acres of land and contains 10 bedrooms.
Mr Assange, who appeared in the dock in a jacket and open-necked shirt, has received death threats and has spent the past week in solitary confinement.
The case against him in Sweden centres on his relations with two women in Stockholm while he was visiting the city in August. The allegations include the rape and molestation of one woman and the molestation and unlawful coercion of another.
But his supporters claim the criminal inquiry and extradition request is unfair and politically motivated.
WikiLeaks spokesman Kristinn Hrafnsson said work continues to process the sureties and all five people have been contacted.
“It would be outrageous if he had to spend another night in awful prison conditions because of a technicality,” he said outside the High Court. “Especially given the facts of the matter and that no charges are in place.”