Assange's mother angered by appeal

The mother of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has condemned Swedish prosecutors' decision to lodge an appeal blocking her son's freedom.

Christine Assange, who lives in Noosa on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, said she was concerned after hearing her son's bail would be appealed.

"You can appeal all you like ... I don't think you're going to get very far," Mrs Assange told Australia's Sunshine Coast Daily and Channel 7.

"I'm confident the High Court will do the right thing and support the decision to grant Julian bail."

Mr Assange was granted bail by a London court this morning (NZT). Outside the court house people in the street chanted "Wiki! Wiki! Wiki! Oi! Oi! Oi!"

The 39-year-old Australian's bail was set at more than £200,000 ($420,358) and he will be forced to wear an electronic bracelet and be subject to a curfew.

But latest reports say the decision is likely to be appealed, meaning Mr Assange could stay in prison for another 48 hours.

Initially supporters of Mr Assange, including his mother, had been buoyed by the decision that he would be given bail.

The Noosa woman smiled as she faced the world's media outside the courthouse.

"I was very touched by the people who came forward to offer their money and accommodation so that Julian could be freed," Mrs Assange told the Sunshine Coast Daily.

Assange has been held on a warrant from Sweden after handing himself in to face allegations of sexual assault - claims he strongly denies.

Christine Assange has maintained her son's innocence and called on the world to stand up for the rights of the WikiLeaks founder.

Assange gave a statement through Channel 7 reporter Mike Duffy, who is also with Christine Assange, that his convictions are unfaltering" and that he "remains true" to the ideals he has expressed on freedom of information.

The Australian was represented in court by the high-profile human rights lawyer Geoffrey Robertson.

Mrs Assange said her son had only been allowed three visits and three phone calls, and does not have access to a computer.

In his statement from jail, which was also obtained by the Sunshine Coast Daily, he criticised the financial firms PayPal, MasterCard and Visa that had withdrawn their services from his website, accusing them of being "instruments of U.S. foreign policy."

He called on his global supporters to protect his work.

His mother has been particularly critical of Prime Minister Julia Gillard, accusing her of being more interested in hosting Oprah than fighting for her son's freedom.

Britain's High Court will hear the Swedish appeal against Mr Assange's bail.

Mr Assange's lawyer Mark Stephens said his client's relief at the bail decision had already evaporated, calling it "unfortunate" that "the Swedes won't abide by the umpire's decision".

"They clearly will not spare any expense but to keep Mr Assange in jail," Mr Stephens told journalists.

"This is really turning into a show trial."

Celebrity supporters in the court and pro-WikiLeaks protesters outside the building had earlier cheered the decision to free Assange.

- Sunshine Coast Daily