Wikileaks' Julian Assange prepares to fight extradition

He faces allegations of sexual assault against two women, which he denies.

Mr Assange is expected to argue Swedish prosecutors had no right to issue a warrant for his arrest because he has not yet been charged with any offences.

At the extradition hearing, in London's Belmarsh Magistrates' Court, his lawyers will also challenge the move on human rights grounds.

Defence arguments

Mr Assange's legal team, led by Geoffery Robertson QC, is expected to argue that if their client is forced to return to Sweden he could be extradited to the US, or even Guantanamo Bay, to face separate charges relating to the publication of secret documents by Wikileaks.

He fears he could face the death penalty as a result, his defence says.

BBC legal affairs correspondent Clive Coleman suggests that Mr Assange's lawyers will focus their defence on technical arguments, such as that the Swedish prosecutor in this case is not a recognised judicial authority.

They will also say that the extradition is being sought for Mr Assange's questioning, not prosecution, meaning the Swedish authorities could ask for him to questioned by UK police, or via the internet, instead.

The defence team will also put forward human rights issues, by suggesting that three of the offences alleged against Mr Assange are not extradition offences.

And our correspondent also said he understood it would be argued that Mr Assange would not get a fair trial in Sweden, because rape cases in that country are customarily held without a jury and in secret.

The whistle-blowing website has been used to publish leaked US diplomatic cables, as well as other sensitive material from governments and high-profile organisations, Kazinform refers to BBC News.

See www.bbc.co.uk for full version.