WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange on Tuesday applied for the chance to take his extradition appeal to Britain's Supreme Court, the Associated Press reported. Assange is fighting extradition to Sweden over sex assault allegations.

According to the AP, High Court judges ruled against Assange two weeks ago. From the AP:

His lawyers now must try to persuade High Court judges at a Dec. 5 hearing to rule that his case raises a question of general public importance and should be considered by the Supreme Court.

Lawyers for Assange could not immediately be reached to explain what the point of "public importance" was.

The Guardian reported that a Supreme Court hearing would be the third stage of Assange's appeal against extradition. A European arrest warrant was issued last December.

Legal observers told the newspaper that the latest development means a verdict either way may have to wait until summer.

CNN reported that Assange, who has been under house arrest for nearly a year, said after the ruling two weeks ago that he has "not been charged with any crime in any country."

"Despite this, the European arrest warrant is so restrictive that it prevents UK courts from considering the facts of a case, as judges have made clear here today," he said.

