Assange claims 'smear' campaign in action

2010-12-17 2,749


Freed WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange said he expected further "smears" and a potential indictment from the US on his first day under house arrest.


The 39-year-old whistleblower was let out of prison after a judge ruled he should be released ahead of Swedish extradition proceedings in the new year.


He vowed to "continue his work and protest his innocence" after emerging from the High Court to face the world press after nine days behind bars.


But in a series of interviews, Assange suggested that his first 24 hours of freedom would be largely taken up with other legal battles.


Speaking at the East Anglian mansion at which he has been ordered to stay, the Australian said he expected further leaked information relating to claims of sexual assault against him to be made public.


"We have heard from one of my US lawyers, yet to be confirmed, but a serious matter, that there may be a US indictment for espionage for me, coming from a secret US grand jury investigation," he said.


A spokeswoman from the US Department of Justice would only confirm that there is "an ongoing investigation into the WikiLeaks matter".


Assange is wanted in Sweden for alleged sex offences which he denies. His lawyers have accused the Swedish authorities of waging a "vendetta" against him.


Earlier this week at City of Westminster Magistrates' Court he was granted bail pending the bid to extradite him.