Assange seeks to have Sweden arrest warrant overturned

Lawyers for Julian Assange have asked a Swedish court to overturn an arrest warrant for the WikiLeaks founder.

The move follows a ruling by a United Nations panel that the Australian's confinement in the Ecuadorian embassy in London amounted to "arbitrary detention".

His lawyer, Thomas Olsson, said a number of "new circumstances" had arisen that meant there was reason to review an earlier decision.

Assange is wanted for questioning in Sweden over a sex allegation, which he denies, but believes that if he goes to Sweden he will be taken to the United States for questioning over WikiLeaks activities.

The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention said earlier this month that Assange should be free to leave the embassy in London.

Authorities in Britain and Sweden have rejected the finding, saying Assange has detained himself by seeking refuge in the embassy.

Assange has been living in the embassy in central London for more than three years after being granted political asylum by the Ecuador government.