WikiLeaks founder gets bail

Julian Assange was granted conditional bail on Thursday as the High Court in London rejected an appeal by prosecutors to keep the WikiLeaks founder behind bars while he battles an extradition attempt by Sweden.

Assange, the target of U.S. fury over WikiLeaks' release of classified U.S. diplomatic cables, is fighting attempts to extradite him to Sweden for questioning over allegations of sexual misconduct made by two female WikiLeaks volunteers. 

He denies the allegations. High Court Justice Duncan Ouseley ruled that the 39-year-old Australian could be granted bail of 200,000 pounds ($317,000) bail and made slight changes to several of the other strict conditions set by a lower court judge on Tuesday. 

The 39-year-old Australian is wanted in Sweden for questioning on sexual offences, but his supporters claim the allegations are politically motivated because WikiLeaks has enraged Washington by releasing US diplomatic cables.

A small group of Assange's supporters braving the driving rain outside the court roared with delight at the news of the ruling and shouted: "Exposing war crimes is no crime."