WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has been released on bail after nine days in jail over alleged sexual offences, even as he vowed 'to continue' his work and to prove his innocence.
Assange, 39, was released from the Victorian Wandsworth prison after the high court earlier granted him conditional bail and promised to 'continue my work'.
He was facing Swedish charges of sexual assault. The high court set aside an appeal lodged by the Swedish authorities against the bail he was given two days ago. After the surety amount of 240,000 pounds was organised by his legal team, the necessary bail paperwork was completed during the day and finally he was released at 1800 GMT.
Emerging a free man, Julian told a crowd of journalists: "It's great to feel the fresh air of London again. I thank all the people around the world who had faith in me".
He said: "If justice is not always an outcome, at least it is not dead yet. I hope to continue my work and continue to protest my innocence in this matter and
He is fighting extradition to Sweden over sex assault allegations made by two women. He denies any wrongdoing.
Justice Ouseley ordered Assange be released on payment of 240,000 pounds in cash and sureties and on condition he resides at an address in East Anglia.
He went on to thank "all the people around the world who had faith" in him, his lawyers for putting up a "brave and ultimately successful fight", people who provided money in the face of "great difficulty and aversion", members of the press and the British justice system.
Assange had spent the past eight nights in prison.
He will now stay at a manor home on the Norfolk-Suffolk border owned by Vaughan Smith, journalist and owner of the Frontline Club in London.
Assange's solicitor, Mark Stephens, said after the court appearance the bail appeal was part of a "continuing vendetta by the Swedes".
But the question of who decided to appeal against the granting of bail remains cloaked in contradiction.
