Celebs, media vie to see WikiLeaks founder in court

The Westminster Magistrates Court was ill prepared for the media scrum that landed on its doorstop on Tuesday. That's when police confirmed that WikiLeaks editor and founder Julian Assange had voluntarily turned himself in and was now under arrest.

Swarms of cameras, microphones and reporters with earpieces dangling were buzzing around outside the court, trying to figure out which entrance Assange and his legal tem would use.

Despite the media scrutiny, Assange managed to whiz past in a car and straight into the back entrance of the courthouse with hardly a photo being taken.

His lawyer, Mark Stephens, was not so lucky: Mobbed the moment he appeared at the front door, though he seemed unruffled by the attention. He sported a dark suit with pink pinstripes and a tie dotted with a skull-and-cross bones motif. A nod to the Pirate Party (a Swedish political party) that has supported WikiLeaks perhaps, I asked? No, more like Alexander McQueen, he replied.

Inside, it was standing room only as reporters crammed into the small courtroom. A buzz went through the gallery as Jemima Khan, the ex-wife of former Pakistani cricket star Imran Khan, took her seat. Clearly, few expected to see a bona-fide celebrity at the proceedings today. Journalist John Pilger and British film director Ken Loach also offered to post money for Assange's bail -- indications perhaps that Assange may soon become a cause celebre.

But the main event was Assange. He showed little emotion as the hearing played out. When the court asked for his address, he gave a cagey reply: "For correspondence or other purposes?" he asked. He initially gave a PO Box before reluctantly scribbling down an address that was read out loud by a court recorder.

Judge Howard Riddle denied Assange bail, citing, among other issues, the "nomadic lifestyle" of the man behind WikiLeaks. He also repeatedly stated that this hearing was "not about WikiLeaks." Actually, once he said, this was "not about Wikipedia," setting off a few snickers from reporters.

This was the first time the details of the alleged sex crimes Assange faces were revealed in court. Among them, use of force and two charges of unprotected sex without a condom, despite the women's insistence that he use one. Reporters looked at each other trying to figure out the details of Swedish law.

The proceedings ran under an hour. There was genuine surprise when Riddle announced there would be no release on bail and Assange would be spending his time in jail until December 14.

When the police van carrying Assange pulled out of the courthouse, a media pack was waiting. Cameras flashing, microphones flying, and dozens of supporters shouting cries of: "We love you!" and "Julian Assange is a political prisoner." They ran after the van hoping to catch a glimpse of the once-elusive founder of WikiLeaks.

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http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/12/07/assange.wikileaks.court.scene/