WikiLeaks founder is denied Swedish permit

Founder of the WikiLeaks website that angered the US by releasing classified military documents about the Afghan war.

By The Newsroom

Published 18th Oct 2010, 18:12 BST

Updated 18th Oct 2010, 23:42 BST

Mr Assange has been establishing a base in Sweden to benefit from its strict journalist protection laws. He is also being investigated over rape allegations in Sweden, which he has denied, calling them baseless.

A Swedish Migration Board spokesman yesterday confirmed that Mr Assange's application had been rejected. Mr Assange, an Australian citizen, has three weeks to appeal the decision.