Julian Assange loses court appeal in Sweden

Julian Assange has lost his appeal in Sweden. Photo: AFP

Stockholm: WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has lost a bid to cancel a Swedish detention order for alleged sexual assault as he fights to leave the Ecuadorian embassy in London where he sought asylum two years ago.

"The court has decided that there is still probable cause concerning the suspicions directed toward Assange," Stockholm City Court said on Wednesday after a ruling by Judge Lena Egelin. "There is still a risk that he will fail to appear or in some other way avoid participation in the investigation."

In Canberra, Australian Attorney-General GeorgeBrandissaysAssangeshould face the claims.

Prosecutor Marianne Ny after the court hearing in Stockholm. Photo: Reuters

"I think MrAssangeshould be man enough to face the allegations against him of being a sexual predator," SenatorBrandistoldABCradio on Thursday.

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The 43-year-old Australian sought refuge with Ecuador in June 2012 after exhausting options in British courts to avoid extradition to face questioning on allegations of rape and sexual molestation during a 2010 visit to Sweden.

Mr Assange who has said he is innocent and has not been charged with a crime, has refused to return to Sweden citing risks that he will be extradited to the United States.

Julian Assange has been living at the Ecuadorian embassy in London since June 2012. Photo: AFP

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Julian Assange loses court appeal in Sweden