Hackers threaten protest in support of Assange

Civil rights demonstrators gathered outside the Royal Courts of Justice last night to support the WikiLeaks founder, Julian Assange, who is fighting a last-ditch battle to avoid extradition to Sweden.

Internet users believed to be linked to the hackers' network Anonymous were also threatening to create havoc with police computers, in what appears to be a planned revenge for the threat to extradite Assange.

A message posted yesterday on Twitter from an account under the name Anonymous Sabu, whose feed has over 7000 followers, warned: "We are working on two of the biggest releases for Anonymous in the last four years. Put your helmets on. It is war." It would appear the group is threatening to release hacked data.

Later messages added: "Everyone brace. This is literally explosive," and "get ready for the truth".

And another, addressed to the "intelligence community", warned: "Your contractors have failed you. Tomorrow is the beginning."

The demonstrations and online threats reflect a suspicion that there is a political motive behind allegations of sexual assault on two women made against Assange after a visit to Sweden in August. Since December, the WikiLeaks founder has been living under house arrest.

- Independent