WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange remains in a British jail

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange remains in a British jail after the Swedish authorities appealed against a decision to grant him bail.The whistleblower was handed his freedom by a judge after supporters agreed to post a £200,000 cash deposit.But in chaotic scenes the decision was overridden two hours later when Swedish prosecutors said they would challenge the decision.As a result the 39-year-old Australian returned to Wandsworth prison, in south west London, where he is being held in solitary confinement.He will appear at the High Court within 48 hours where a more senior judge will consider the appeal and whether to overturn the bail decision.
Speaking on the steps of City of Westminster Magistrates’ Court, his lawyer Mark Stephens attacked the Swedish authorities.

He said: ‘Finally, after two hours we have heard that the Swedes will not abide with the umpire’s decision and they want to put Mr Assange through yet more trouble, more expense and more hurdles.

‘They clearly will not spare any expense to keep Mr Assange in jail. This is really turning into a show trial.’

Asked how Assange, who earlier gave a thumbs up to photographers from a prison van window, reacted to the news, Mr Stephens said: ‘He is phlegmatic.’

The whistleblower is wanted in Sweden over claims he sexually assaulted two women during a visit to Stockholm in August.

But his supporters claim the criminal inquiry and extradition request is unfair and politically motivated.The former computer hacker is behind the release of hundreds of United States diplomatic cables that have caused global uproar.

Assange was denied bail at his first court appearance one week ago on the grounds he could flee the country.

The decision to appeal was the final twist in a day of extraordinary drama in the mundane setting of the Westminster courthouse.Supporters and journalists queued for hours to win tickets to court number one where Assange was due to appear at 2pm.
Meanwhile hundreds of protesters besieged the building, chanting for Assange to be released and attacking the authorities in Sweden and United States.
High-profile supporters including socialite Jemima Khan, novelist Tariq Ali, campaigner Bianca Jagger and film-maker Ken Loach all offered sureties.
They were joined by veteran journalist John Pilger, gay rights activist Peter Tatchell and Frontline Club founder Vaughan Smith.
Others who had pledged support and were waiting in the wings included author Hanif Kureishi and filmmaker Michael Moore.
Assange, wearing a black suit and white shirt, waved to his lawyer as he arrived in the packed courtroom where some were sat on the floor.
Lawyer Gemma Lindfield, on behalf of the Swedish authorities, said ‘nothing has changed’ and Assange remains a ‘flight risk’.
But after an hour-long hearing Judge Howard Riddle disagreed and granted Assange bail on the condition he deposited £200,000 in cash at the court.
He also ordered that a further two sureties were given, each to the value of £20,000, and imposed a string of strict bail conditions.
These included that Assange is electronically tagged and lives at Ellingham Hall near Bungay in Suffolk, a property in 600 acres of private grounds.
The estate is owned by Mr Smith, who served in the British Army before setting up the journalists’ club in Paddington.
The Australian must also leave his passport with police, observe a curfew and report to a police station every day.
Speaking after the hearing Assange’s mother, Christine, said: ‘I am very happy with the judge’s decision and I thank you all so much for supporting Julian.’
Bianca Jagger, who attended in her capacity as a human rights campaigner, confirmed after the hearing that she had not provided any money.
'I am very concerned that this case is becoming politicised,' she told the media.
'If there are valid accusations against him then let them be heard.

'I don't agree with everything he has done but the most important thing in law is justice, due process and freedom of expression.'
Film director Ken Loach said: 'If the Swedish government oppose bail it will show there is some vindictive element beyond this case.'
Socialite Jemima Khan, who earlier offered a surety on behalf of Assange, said: 'It's great news. I can hear them all cheering outside.'
Prior to yesterday's hearing Michael Moore had called for supporters to attend a demonstration outside court.
It said: 'If you're reading this in London, please go support Julian Assange and WikiLeaks at a demonstration at 1pm today, Tuesday the 14th, in front of the Westminster court.'
Many people took up the invitation and protested outside the court with banners and signs, while some even brandished copies of the current edition of Time Magazine, which features Assange on its cover.
The scene outside the court was controlled bedlam as the protesters and police mixed with international media.
The crowds made the small, staired entrance to the court almost impassable.
Dozens of police officers corralled a vocal and diverse protest behind metal fencing on the other side of the road.
A squad of officers helped celebrity Jemima Khan as she walked into court amid chaotic scenes to again offer a cash surety, as was the case with veteran journalist and campaigner John Pilger.
Among those leading the protest were gay rights activist Peter Tatchell and Lindsey German of the Stop the War campaign group.
Some demonstrators wore masks representing comic book hero V, from V for Vendetta, and others used scarves to conceal their identity.
Many carried placards mocking the British and Swedish authorities as well as black and white images of Assange.
One read: 'Sweden, puppets of the US', another said 'There is something rotten in the state of Sweden' and many said 'Exposing war crimes is not a crime'.
Others gave out leaflets campaigning for an end to the 'unfair' European Arrest Warrant and outlining support for the free flow of information.
As the man himself arrived in a prison van photographers rushed to the side of the van to snap pictures of him through the windows, resulting in the image above.
As that picture shows, being in custody is no bar to Assange getting messages out through the media.
Earlier yesterday he backed the cyber attacks on Visa, Mastercard and PayPal from his prison cell, branding the companies 'instruments of U.S. foreign policy'.
He gave a written statement to his mother, Christine, when she visited him in London where he is in custody fighting extradition to Sweden for alleged sex offences.
Internet activists launched 'Operation Payback' to avenge WikiLeaks against those perceived to have obstructed its operations by refusing to process payments to the website.
The campaign temporarily brought down the websites of credit card firms Visa and MasterCard, as well as that of PayPal and the Swedish government, last week.
Assange's statement said: 'We now know that Visa, Mastercard, PayPal and others are instruments of U.S. foreign policy.
'It's not something we knew before.
'I am calling for the world to protect my work and my people from these illegal and immoral attacks.'

Christine Assange defended her son and said both were heartened by international support for him.
'I told him how people from all over the world, all sorts of countries were standing up with placards and screaming out for his freedom and justice and he was very heartened by that,' she said.
'As a mother I am asking the world to stand up for my brave son.'