JULIAN Assange, the Australian founder of WikiLeaks, could be extradited to Sweden by the end of the month for questioning

on sexual misconduct allegations, after Britain's Supreme Court rejected his bid to reopen his case.

Julian Assange. Credit:Reuters

Assange's legal struggle to stay in Britain has dragged on for almost two years. Thursday's ruling effectively exhausts his legal options in Britain.

The court ruled that a required 10-day countdown to the final extradition date should begin in 14 days. That stay was granted to allow Assange to file an appeal to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg if he chooses to. The European Court, which has precedence over British courts, can prevent the extradition if it decides to take the case.