WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange arrested

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange handed himself in to British police on Tuesday after Sweden issued a warrant for his arrest over allegations of sex crimes.
Assange, whose WikiLeaks website is at the centre of a row over the release of secret US diplomatic cables, was arrested under a European Arrest Warrant. Swedish prosecutors want to question the 39-year-old Australian about allegations of rape, sexual molestation and unlawful coercion. He denies the allegations.
“He is accused by the Swedish authorities of one count of unlawful coercion, two counts of sexual molestation and one count of rape, all alleged to have been committed in August 2010,” London police said in a statement. Assange has spent much of his time in Sweden and earlier this year was accused of sexual misconduct by two female Swedish WikiLeaks volunteers.
Wikileaks to continue
“WikiLeaks is operational. We are continuing on the same track as laid out before,” said Kristinn Hrafnsson, spokesman for the group. “Any development with regards to Julian Assange will not change the plans we have with regards to the releases today and in the coming days.”
Hrafnsson said the operation would be run by a group of people from London and other locations.
 JULIAN PAUL ASSANGE FACT FILE 
o Assange was born in Townsville, Australia, in July 1971, to parents involved in theatre. His mother runs a puppet theatre.
o In his teens, Assange gained a reputation as a computer programmer.
o In 1995 he was arrested and pleaded guilty to hacking. He was fined, but avoided prison on condition he didn’t re-offend.
o In his 20s, he went to Melbourne University to study maths and physics.
o Assange has no permanent home and is often seen carrying a rucksack, moving from city to city and staying with friends in countries from Iceland to Kenya.
o He is known for being highly secretive. It has been reported that he carries several mobile phones and at one point believed he was being followed.
o Assange began WikiLeaks in 2006, creating a web-based ‘dead letter drop” for would-be leakers.
o Assange said he thinks there is still a place for investigative journalism and hopes that WikiLeaks can complement traditional media.
o He says WikiLeaks has never compromised a source.