WikiLeaks founder's bail appeal set for Thursday

Sweden's appeal against a judge's decision to grant bail to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange will be heard Thursday at Britain's High Court in London.

Court officials said the appeal would be heard at 11:30 a.m. local time (6:30 a.m. ET) by a senior judge, Duncan Ouseley.

Assange remains in custody at a southwest London prison pending the outcome of the appeal.

On Tuesday, District Judge Howard Riddle ordered Assange released on £200,000 ($317,663) bail. Less than two hours later, Swedish prosecutors announced they would be challenging the decision.

Assange is wanted for questioning by Swedish police in connection with a sex-crimes investigation. He has been accused of — but not charged with — rape, sexual molestation and unlawful coercion.

Supporters of the 39-year-old Australian say the charges are trumped up and possibly politically motivated.

Assange's British lawyer, Mark Stephens, said Wednesday that "somebody has it in for Julian Assange and we only can conjecture why."

He has been imprisoned at Wandsworth Prison since his arrest on Dec. 7. He was denied bail at a hearing that day after Riddle said he had "substantial grounds" to believe Assange would not appear for his next hearing.