Assange asks to re-open extradition appeal

WikiLeaks' founder Julian Assange has asked Britain's Supreme Court to re-open his appeal against extradition to Sweden, a court spokesman said yesterday.
"Lawyers for Julian Assange have lodged papers to apply to re-open the appeal, as expected, for the reasons set out in the hearing," the spokesman said, adding that judges would now consider the application.
The highly unusual move comes after the court last month rejected Assange's last-ditch appeal against extradition to Sweden, where he is wanted for questioning about allegations of rape and sexual assault.
The court, Britain's highest, handed down its decision in the 18-month legal marathon after rejecting Assange's argument that the Swedish prosecutor who issued the arrest warrant for him was not entitled to do so.
The Supreme Court judges can reject Assange's challenge, ask for written submissions or hold a new hearing.
The court spokesman said he could not give a timescale for any decision.