WikiLeaks chief Julian Assange: US is trying to extradite me on spy charges

12 April 2012

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange today accused US authorities of plotting to extradite him on espionage charges.

Speaking at the Suffolk country house where he must remain under the terms of his bail, the whistleblower said he had been tipped off that the Americans were planning to serve an "extremely serious" indictment.

He said: "We have heard today from one of my US lawyers that there may be a US indictment for espionage for me coming from a secret grand jury investigation.

"There are obviously serious attempts to take down the content by taking us down as an organisation and take me down as an individual."

The 39-year-old Australian said he would not be bowed and promised to increase the amount of information published on the WikiLeaks website.

Mr Assange said he expected more sexually related smears against him would be made public as he accused the Swedish authorities of hampering his attempts to fight the charges.

He added: "Clearing my name is not the highest work I have. Continuing my work is the highest work I have."

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

Mr Assange had an emotional reunion with his mother after his release from jail yesterday. He spent the night with Christine Assange and a group of close supporters at 10-bedroom Ellingham Hall owned by Vaughan Smith.

He was given a hero's welcome with champagne and a meal of stew and dumplings to mark the end of his nine-day incarceration at Wandsworth prison as he fights extradition to Sweden on sex assault allegations, which he denies. His mother, who travelled to London to show her support, was one of a coterie of followers and advisers invited to the country home.

Mrs Assange, 59, said: "It is good to have a break from the fight and enjoy the moment. The war is not over but this battle is. I want him to be healthy and happy and safe. I might tell him to get a bullet-proof vest." Smiling and hugging his mother, Mr Assange added: "This is not the beginning of the end. It is the end of the beginning. It has not altered my position, in fact it has confirmed my position to me personally that we are on the right path."

Mrs Assange will not spend Christmas with her son as she is due to fly back home to Queensland in Australia. He will instead be supported by a team of assistants including two young, female journalism students. Sarah Harrison, a recent City University graduate, was reported in The Times to have "been in very close contact and organising his diary and washing his socks".

Gavin MacFadyen, a visiting professor of journalism at the university, revealed threats had been made against Mr Assange two or three weeks ago.

Mr Assange will have to reside at the estate at least until his next court date on 11 January. His release was secured after five prominent figures pledged sureties totalling at least £240,000.

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