Why Is Julian Assange's Case So Significant?

LONDON: There has been a flurry of activity and speculation in the case of Julian Assange, the outspoken WikiLeaks founder who has been squirreled away inside the Ecuadorean Embassy in London for more than three years to avoid questioning by Swedish authorities about sexual misconduct allegations.

Assange says he fears being sent to the US to face charges stemming from WikiLeaks' role in releasing secret documents. He had said that he would turn himself in to British police on Friday if a UN panel rules against him, which has has said that Mr Assange three-and-a-half-year's stay in the Ecuadorian embassy in London amounts to 'arbitrary detention'. Here is a summary of where things stand:

Assange's Legal Status    

He is sought by Swedish authorities for questioning, but hasn't been charged with any crimes there. British police say they will arrest him if he walks out of the Ecuadorean Embassy in London. They reiterated that plan Thursday.

It's not clear if there has been a secret grand jury indictment against Assange in the US. He says that extradition to the US is his main legal worry.

He denies allegations of sexual misconduct in Sweden.

His Offer To Turn Himself In

It is possible that the UN panel has informed WikiLeaks, which brought the suit, and the British and Swedish governments about its findings in advance.

If the panel supports Assange's claim that he has been treated unfairly, his offer to turn himself is easy to make because he knows he won't have to follow through.

He also may be tired of his confined life inside the embassy and has in the past sought permission to leave because of medical ailments.

UN Panel's Powers

The UN panel has no legal authority in the case, as British Prime Minister David Cameron's office pointed out on Thursday.

But the ruling in favour of Mr Assange could provide a public relations boost for Assange and WikiLeaks and may bring pressure to bear on Swedish authorities.

If the Swedes decide not to seek Assange for questioning, the warrant for his arrest could be dropped. British police, however, could still arrest him for jumping bail, unless that charge was also dropped. And British police could still act if US authorities are seeking his arrest.

UN Panel's Role

The five-member Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, associated with the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva, was founded in 1991 and generally is considered an authoritative body on international legal issues revolving around questions of whether people have been locked up without proper judicial oversight.

It is only an advisory body for governments, and its decisions aren't binding on nations - though its decisions can remind countries of their own commitments under international rules and law.

WikiLeaks and Assange had sought the panel's ruling more than a year ago.