Extradition hearings for Julian Assange, enigmatic founder of whistle-blowing website WikiLeaks, will start in London's Belmarsh Magistrates' Court on Monday, February 7.
A lawyer for Assange has earlier told British media the hearings does not involve allegations serious enough to send his client to Sweden. Experts believe that the hearing will deal primarily with the technicalities of British extradition law.
Assange was arrested in London on December 7, but later released on bail. His extradition to Sweden, where he is wanted on sex assault charges, is pending. Assange denies the allegations and is fighting the extradition, while lawyers express fears that Assange could be then extradited to the United States and face the death penalty for violation of the Espionage Act of 1917.
World leaders and diplomats have downplayed the impact of the leak of more than 250,000 confidential U.S. diplomatic cables by the WikiLeaks site, but many have questioned the benefit of the project, alleging that some of the leaks could "threaten lives."
The defense of WikiLeaks founder says the charges against him are politically motivated.
Earlier this week, Norwegian lawmaker Snorre Valen announced on his blog he has nominated WikiLeaks for a Nobel Peace Prize for the role it has played in protecting human rights, democracy and freedom.
LONDON, February 6 (RIA Novosti)
