UK court upholds decision to grant bail to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange

The founder of whistle-blowing website Wikileaks, Julian Assange has been granted bail by a judge in London.

The 39-year-old was granted bail earlier this week, but prosecutors objected to the decision and he remained in jail.

The Australian is fighting extradition to Sweden over sex charges involving two women. He denies the allegations. Mr Assange argues the allegations against him are politically motivated and designed to take attention away from the material appearing on Wikileaks.

His website has published thousands of sensitive American diplomatic cables, details of which have appeared in the Guardian in the UK and several other newspapers around the world.

Mr. Assange is accused of having unprotected sex with a woman, identified only as Miss A, when she insisted he use a condom.

He is also accused of having unprotected sex with another woman, Miss W, while she was asleep.

His supporters have offered to put up a surety of £240,000 to guarantee he surrenders to bail.

The appeal was heard at the Royal Courts of Justice in London by Mr Justice Ouseley.