World News: WikiLeaks founder Assange out on bail

WikiLeaks founder Assange out on bail

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has been freed from custody, just a few hours after a judge in London ruled he should be released on bail.

Assange is free while he fights extradition to Sweden to face sexual assault allegations.

Assange said Thursday as he thanked his supporters, backers and legal team from the steps of the High Court: "Well, it's great to smell the fresh air of London again,"
He said he hoped to continue his work and continue "to protest my innocence in this matter and to reveal, as we get it … the evidence from these allegations."

Assange did not take questions after his statement.

Earlier, Judge Duncan Ouseley rejected a prosecution appeal of a lower-court decision from earlier this week that granted Assange his freedom and set conditions on his release.
Prosecutors tried to argue that Assange was a flight risk prior to his extradition hearing in January, but Ouseley disagreed.

"He would diminish himself in the eyes of many of his supporters," Ouseley said of Assange in court."I don't accept that Mr. Assange has an incentive not to attend [court]. He clearly does have some desire to clear his name."

Assange smiled and gave a thumbs-up to the packed courtroom as he was led out following the judge's ruling.
Following the ruling, Assange's mother, Christine, thanked supporters of her son and said she was "very, very happy."

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