WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange denied bail

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was denied bail by a British judge on Tuesday after the former surrendered to London police in connection with sex crime allegations against him in Sweden.

The whistle-blowing website founder was refused bail after the judge said that he had “substantial grounds” to believe that Assange would not turn up for further proceedings.

Assange has been placed under custody ahead of his extradition hearings, which the 39-year-old Australian has said he intends to fight.

Swedish police had earlier sent out a lookout for Assange after two WikiLeaks workers had accused Assange of ?rape, sexual molestation and unlawful coercion?. The Interpol too had joined the lookout and issued a Red Notice against him.

The legal actions came in wake of a massive expose by Assange?s international publishing service for whistle-blowers which left the American administration egg-faced.

Defying disapproval of the White House, WikiLeaks, on Nov 28, had released nearly 250,000 diplomatic cables from U.S. embassies across the world from the past three years uncloaking the backroom bargains of world leaders and insight into their fears as well as the concerns of USA.

On Tuesday, as per his prior agreements with authorities, Assange went to a central London police station, where he was arrested by officers from Scotland Yard?s extradition unit on the basis of the Swedish Government’s arrest warrant.

?Officers from the Metropolitan Police extradition unit have this morning arrested Julian Assange on behalf of the Swedish authorities on suspicion of rape,? said a statement issued by the police.

However, the 39-year-old maintains that he did not commit any ?sexual misconduct? while in Sweden in August, said The New York Times newspaper.