Dec 7, 2010 13:59 GMT  ·  By

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was arrested in the UK earlier this morning after he surrendered to the Metropolitan police. An international arrest warrant was issued in his name via the Interpol. He was charged with one count of unlawful coercion, two counts of sexual molestation and one count of rape in Sweden.

The arrest comes as interest in the site is at an all time high due to the recent release of diplomatic cables from US embassies.

The leak was condemned by many in the US and elsewhere and the site has been under attack ever since the documents were published.

At the same time, more and more companies are refusing to do business with WikiLeaks for threat of repercussions from US authorities.

The accusations were brought against Assange, the site's founder and public figure, a few months ago during a trip to Sweden. Two women filed complaints against Assange, but the accusations were somewhat unclear at the time.

The authorities dropped the charges initially. However, the case was later re-opened and a warrant for arrest was issued. Appeals were dismissed and the Interpol was recently alerted.

Assange's lawyers initially said that they are negotiating with London police for a hearing. This morning, Assange along with his lawyers met with the police and the man was placed under arrest. He will go before a court later today to establish the initial details and the matter of his extradition.

Swedish authorities want him for questioning and have issued an international arrest warrant for him. Assange claims that he earlier agreed to talk with the prosecutors at the Swedish embassy in London, but he doesn't want an extradition fearing an unfair trial in Sweden, under political pressure.

However, even if an extradition is agreed upon, the procedure may take up to a month. The fear for WikiLeaks supporters is that Assange will be facing other extraditions when in Sweden as the US is currently investigating the leaks. Assange is also wanted by authorities in his native Australia.

UPDATE: Assange has been denied bail by the British court and will remain in custody until December 14.