LONDON  Wikileaks founder Julian Assange is a free man tonight….on bail at least.

After several hours of legal delay, the Australian emerged on the front steps of the High Court in London saying it was “great to breathe fresh air again.”  He went on to thank his supporters, his legal team, and “members of the press who are not all taken in.”

Earlier in the day, British judge Duncan Ounsley ruled against an appeal on that bail today. He decided that Assange was not a substantial flight risk. He also said he was satisfied, with some modifications, with the restrictions and conditions put on him.

They include the equivalent of  $300,000 + in bond money, limits of his movement at home in the northeast of London, the wearing of an electronic tracking device, curfews, and daily meetings with police.

Also noted by the judge, the possible weakness of sex crimes case for which he is being extradited to Sweden

The delay of Assange’s release was due to difficulties in lining up all the money for the bond.

The next date in court is January 11^th.  It is a  preliminary hearing about Assange’s extradition.  The full blown hearing isn’t until February.

And all of this still has nothing to do with Assange’s Wikileaks activity and the posting of those classified documents.

It’s reported today that the US is looking hard at some sort of conspiracy charges against Assange

Swedish authorities tell us today if US officials try to extradite Assange for themselves they’ve have to get the OK from both Sweden and the UK.

In the meantime Assange is off to his “manor” arrest with one more defiant message for the crowd gathered at the court.

“I hope to continue my work and continue to protest my innocence in this matter.”

Words Washington no doubt does not want to hear.