Julian Assange fears threats from US politicians, Swedish lawyer says (VIDEO)

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange fled Sweden as the authorities there investigated claims of sexual assault against him after death threats were made by American and Australian politicians, Assange's Swedish lawyer said.

Swedish criminal law specialist Bjorn Hurtig was giving evidence on Tuesday at an extradition hearing for Assange in London.

The 39-year-old Australian computer expert, who has infuriated the U.S. government by releasing thousands of secret U.S. diplomatic cables on his website, is wanted in Sweden to face allegations of sexual misconduct made by two WikiLeaks volunteers during a visit there last August.

After giving Assange a green light to leave Sweden on Sept. 13, investigators then wanted to question him later the same month, but he had left the country. Subsequently a European warrant was issued by Swedish authorities and he was arrested in London.

Hurtig, contracted by Assange in early September, told the court on Tuesday his client was "worried" at the time he left Sweden because of threats made towards him about his WikiLeaks website.

"There were a lot of threatening statements made by politicians in the U.S. and, I think, from Australia … you should keep in mind that during this period I've known Julian he has actually received death threats in the media … that he should be given the death sentence," Hurtig said, using an interpreter, in court on Tuesday.

"As a consequence of this Julian was duly worried."

Lawyers for Assange wrapped up their arguments in the extradition hearing on Tuesday. His team is fighting extradition on procedural and human-rights grounds, and Assange denies the accusations against him.

Although the case is not related to the work of WikiLeaks, which has facilitated the leaking of thousands of secret documents on subjects ranging from the war in Afghanistan to the inner workings of U.S. diplomacy, Assange's lawyers claim the case is politically motivated.

They have argued that if sent to Sweden, Assange could end up being moved to the U.S. where he could face the death penalty for his controversial activities.

The court hearing will resume Friday, Judge Howard Riddle said, as the two court days set aside were not enough to complete the hearing and lawyers will return to make closing statements.

Assange says the hearing was lifting the lid on allegations that he says are false and have blighted his reputation for months.