LIVE: UK Supreme Court hears Assange

On February 1 and 2, 2012, at 10.30-16.00 GMT (02.30-08.00 AM SLT) you can see the live broadcast from the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom hearing in the case of Julian Assange (Appellant) v. The Swedish Judicial Authority (Respondent) concerning his extradition to Sweden.

The issue that is to be heard is "whether a European Arrest Warrant (“EAW”) issued by a public prosecutor is a valid Part 1 EAW issued by a “judicial authority” for the purpose and within the meaning of sections 2 and 66 of the Extradition Act 2003."

You can follow the proceedings here. (Url)

Background (from the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom

"The appellant, Julian Assange, is the founder of Wikileaks. Assange is the subject of a European Arrest Warrant (EAW) issued by the Swedish Prosecution Authority, which sets out allegations of four offences of unlawful coercion and sexual misconduct, including rape. Assange surrendered himself for arrest in the UK and, following a hearing, his extradition to Sweden was ordered. Assange appealed to the Divisional Court against his extradition on four grounds. He lost on all four grounds and the order requiring his extradition was upheld.

The High Court refused Assange permission to appeal to the Supreme Court but certified one issue raised by his case as being of ‘general public importance’. The Supreme Court subsequently granted permission to appeal on this issue.

... 

In certifying this issue, the High Court made clear its view that Assange’s chances of success in the Supreme Court are ‘extraordinarily slim’. Should this appeal fail, his only further remedy is to apply to the European Court of Human Rights, which will reply within 14 days stating whether it accepts the case. If the ECtHR agrees to hear the case, Assange will remain in the UK on his current bail conditions while the matter is decided. If the ECtHR declines to hear the case, he will be extradited to Sweden to face trial."