WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, arrested in Britain on Swedish allegations of sex crimes, was granted bail by a British court on Tuesday.

The prosecution has until 1730 GMT to lodge an official appeal in the same court after judge Howard Riddle granted Assange bail with conditions until another hearing on January 11.

Assange remained in court pending a decision on the appeal. His supporters must also lodge 200,000 pounds in bail ($317,400) before he can be set free.

The 39-year-old Australian, whose website has provoked U.S. fury by publishing some of a trove of 250,000 classified U.S. diplomatic papers, was accused this year of sexual misconduct by two female Swedish WikiLeaks volunteers during a stay in Sweden.

Assange denies the allegations and is fighting Swedish attempts to extradite him. (Reporting by Peter Griffiths; Editing by Tim Castle)

United kingdom Julian Assange Wikileaks