WikiLeaks 'To Step Up Release Of Cables' 

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has said his website will "step up" its release of secret diplomatic cables and other materials.

 

He was speaking after he returned to court to fight extradition to Sweden, where he is accused of sex crimes.

A full two-day hearing is set to take place on February 6 and 7 after the Australian's legal team said it would be ready to start by then.

The controversial figure is behind the release of hundreds of US diplomatic cables, as well as information about the Iraq war, that sparked global uproar.

In a 10-minute hearing at Belmarsh Magistrates' Court, his QC Geoffrey Robertson said he was "confident" everything would be in place by February 7.

But Assange's legal team also said they fear he could face execution in the US if he is extradited to Sweden.

The claim emerged in a skeleton argument released by his lawyers in the wake of the preparatory legal hearing at Belmarsh Magistrates Court, sitting at Woolwich Crown Court.

His lawyers suggested that extraditing him to the Scandinavian country could breach Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), which bans torture.

Hannah Pye, for the Swedish authorities, said she had no objection to the court date in four weeks time.

Assange spoke only to confirm his name, age and address. District Judge Nicholas Evans released him on conditional bail.

Speaking outside court, Assange said: "Our work with WikiLeaks continues unabated and we are stepping up our publishing for matters relating to 'cablegate' and other materials.

"This will shortly be occurring through our newspaper partners around the world, big and small newspapers and some human rights organizations."

Assange speaks to journalists outside court

He is wanted by the Swedish authorities over claims he sexually assaulted two women during a visit to Stockholm in August.

He denies committing any offenses and his supporters claim the criminal inquiry and extradition request is unfair and politically motivated.

Last month, Mr Assange was freed on £240,000 bail by a High Court judge after spending nine days in Wandsworth Prison.

He spent Christmas at a manor home on the Norfolk-Suffolk border owned by friend and Frontline Club founder Vaughan Smith.

On February 6 and 7, he will be able to stay at the Frontline Club, in Paddington, west London.

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