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Wednesday, April 7, 2010 as of 11:14 AM ET

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Assange Fears Extradition to the U.S.

December 17, 2010 - 2:42 PM | by: Greg Palkot

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is wrapping up his first day out on bail and it seems like he hasn’t stopped talking. He told Fox sister network Sky News and others he fears extradition to the U.S. and a “secret indictment” regarding his website’s leaking of classified documents.

But first there’s the matter of the allegations of sexual misconduct about which Sweden is seeking his extraction.

Assange branded them “tabloid crap” in one interview today.

The weakness of Sweden’s case was, in fact,  one reason the British judge gave yesterday for the granting of bail.

But he also said, and Fox News has confirmed with judicial authorities today, that Assange’s transfer to Sweden seems likely.

That’s because it’s not a full blown extradition. Instead, it’s an inter-European Union arrest warrant. Apparently it’s easier to clear that legal bar.

In comments today, Assange also implied that extradition from Sweden to the U.S. is easier than from the U.K. And so the Swedish sex charges might just be part of an American conspiracy to get him.

But, officials in both the U.K. and Sweden have reminded us that’s not necessarily so. That’s because Assange’s move to Sweden wouldn’t be an actual extradition.

The U.S. would have to get both the U.K. and Sweden’s OK if  it wanted Assange.

We also confirmed with Assange’s lawyer, Mark Stephens, that, technically, Assange is under a gag order not to speak about any details of the Swedish sex case.

The definition of “not speaking” appears to be severely stretched in Assange’s case.

In addition to branding the charges “tabloid crap,” he also called them a “smear” and a “set-up.” Assange’s first court appearance regarding Sweden is Jan. 11.

In the meantime, it’s going to be a lot of “Wiki”-filled Yuletide soundbites from the Australian.