Swedish authorities have said Julian Assange will be jailed once the UK has extradited the Wikileaks leader. Assange is a flight risk, prosecutors say.
Last Thursday, the British Supreme Court rejected Assange’s lawyers’ request to reopen the extradition case. An extradition to Sweden seems imminent, although the Wikileaks leader would still go to the European Court of Human Rights.
Swedish authorities have since said that Assange will be placed in custody once he arrives in Sweden, Wired reported. He will be given a hearing after four days where the judge will decide whether the detention will be extended until a trial is reached. Assange could appeal if the court decides that he should remain in pre-trial detention.
According to the Swedish authorities, Assange should be detained because he would be a flight risk; in the UK, the Wikileaks foreman still had some freedom; pending his various lawsuits against the extradition request, he had to wear an ankle bracelet and report to the police daily. However, Assange would not be placed in solitary confinement in Sweden. Assange would also be allowed to read newspapers, watch TV and interact with other detainees.
Julian Assange is suspected in Sweden of a number of sex crimes. The Wikileaks leader has denied all allegations and has expressed fears several times that he will be extradited to the US via Sweden.