A Swedish appeals court has upheld a detention order for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.

Mr Assange is wanted by prosecutors in a rape investigation stemming from his visit to Sweden in 2010.

The decision made by the Svea Court of Appeal on Friday means the arrest warrant stands for the 45-year-old Australian, who has avoided extradition to Sweden by taking shelter in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London since 2012.

Mr Assange denies the rape allegation and has challenged the detention order several times.

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It is unclear whether he will make an appeal against the decision to the Supreme Court.

Upholding a lower court ruling, the appeals court said Swedish prosecutors are actively trying to move the investigation forward and set up an interrogation of Mr Assange at the embassy.

Acting on behalf of Swedish investigators, an Ecuadorian prosecutor is set to question Mr Assange on 17 October.

"This means that there is at present no reason to set aside the detention order. Julian Assange's claim to that effect shall therefore be refused," the court said.