British authorities have said Julian Assange will be arrested if he leaves the Ecuadorean embassy. The founder of the WikiLeaks website, he faces rape and sexual assault allegations in Sweden.

In June 2012, having lost his appeal to the UK’s Supreme Court against extradition to Sweden, he took refuge in the embassy of Ecuador, in London, which granted him asylum.

What are the allegations that Julian Assange faces?

The offences are alleged to have been committed against two women in August 2010. On 20 August 2010, Swedish authorities issued an arrest warrant for Assange on two counts, one of rape and one of molestation.

The warrant was withdrawn a day later, but Swedish prosecutors continued investigations into the molestation allegation.

In September 2010 the rape investigation was re-opened, and in November 2010 a Swedish court approved a request to detain Assange for questioning relating to one count of unlawful coercion, two counts of sexual molestation, and one count of rape. An international arrest warrant was issued relating to those allegations.

Assange denies the allegations and has said they are part of a smear campaign against him.

What is known about the two women?

The two women are not being named as they are alleged victims of sexual offences. In legal papers they are described only as AA and SW. They met Assange in August 2010 when he was visiting Sweden to give a lecture. A UK High Court judgement on Assange’s extradition cited AA’s statement to police, in which she said she first met Assange after she had offered him the use of her flat in Stockholm while she was away. She returned earlier than planned from her trip on 13 August and the pair went out to dinner, before returning to her apartment. It is alleged Assange then committed three offences relating to her — one of unlawful coercion, and two counts of sexual molestation.

Supporters of Assange have said he has not been formally charged with any offence.

SW said in her statement, cited by the UK High Court judgement, that she had attended a lunch with Assange and others on 14 August 2010. He had flirted with her over lunch and they had gone out together, ending up in a cinema. She contacted him on 16 August and invited him to her house in Enkoping. The European Arrest warrant cited by the High Court judgement refers to an offence on 17 August of rape, by “improperly exploiting that she, due to sleep, was in a helpless state”.

On 20 August both women went to the police.

It has been previously reported by several media outlets that the two women were ex-WikiLeaks volunteers. This was based on a news agency report of a court hearing. However, according to sources, the two women are better described simply as supporters of WikiLeaks and its aims.

Why has Ecuador given Assange asylum?

In June 2012 Assange went to the Ecuadorean embassy in London and claimed asylum, which was granted in August. Ecuador’s Foreign Minster Ricardo Patino said Assange’s human rights would be at risk if he were extradited and that Ecuador was being loyal to its tradition of protecting those who were vulnerable. Patino said conditions would be attached to the asylum, such as Assange “not making political statements that could affect our relations with friendly countries”. Before Assange claimed asylum, Ecuador’s President Rafael Correa, initially critical of the activities of WikiLeaks, had expressed praise for Assange and his work.

Why can’t he be questioned in the UK prior to extradition?

Swedish prosecutors have interviewed suspects abroad in the past, and in November 2010 Assange’s lawyer Mark Stephens said his client had offered to be interviewed at the Swedish embassy in London or via video link. Since Assange has been in the Ecuadorean embassy in London, Correa and Patino have suggested that Swedish prosecutors could travel to the embassy to meet Assange. Assange has been living inside the Ecuadorean embassy, in London, since being granted diplomatic asylum. However, in this case, Swedish prosecutors have been adamant that Assange be present in Sweden for the next stage of proceedings.

So why question him in Sweden?

Karin Rosander of the Swedish Prosecution Authority told the BBC on 21 August that “because of circumstances in the investigation, [the prosecutor’s] opinion is that it is necessary that he is present in Sweden”. Rosander said the prosecutor had not made clear exactly what those circumstances were. “At this stage of the investigation, [the prosecutor] does not want to specify,” she said. Swedish Director of Prosecutions Marianne Ny stated in a letter to Assange’s original hearing that questioning him in the UK would not be appropriate.

“The preliminary investigation is at an advanced stage and I consider that is necessary to interrogate Assange, in person, regarding the evidence in respect of the serious allegations made against him,” she wrote.

What is likely to happen if and when he is extradited?

Ecuador has shown little sign of being prepared to give Assange up, and the UK has refused to grant him safe passage out of the country, saying he will be arrested if he leaves the embassy for breaching his bail conditions. If Assange is extradited, he would be detained upon arrival in Sweden — the authorities currently consider him “detained in his absence”. Another hearing would be held within four days to determine whether he should remain in custody. Once a decision to charge has been made, an indictment is filed with the court. Legal experts say that in the case of a person in pre-trial detention, the trial normally begins within two weeks.

What concerns do Assange and his supporters have over the extradition?

The main concern expressed by Assange and his supporters is that once extradited to Sweden, he would be in danger of being sent to the US, where he fears he could face the death penalty. Many of WikiLeaks’ most prominent revelations came from massive releases of classified US military documents on the Afghan and Iraq wars, in July and October 2010. In April 2010, the site released footage showing US soldiers shooting dead 18 civilians from a helicopter in Iraq. Assange has said he would be in danger of being sent to the US, where he fears he could face the death penalty.

Despite the US not having made an extradition request, US Attorney General Eric Holder has previously said American officials were pursuing a “very serious criminal investigation” into the matter.

Assange has also pointed to the case of Chelsea Manning, an ex-American soldier formerly known as Private Bradley Manning, who was sentenced to 35 years in prison in the US for leaking classified material to WikiLeaks.

What are the obstacles to extradition?

Legal experts have pointed out several obstacles any extradition and subsequent prosecution in the US would have to overcome. Also, even though the extradition would be according to Swedish law, the UK’s approval would be needed. Assange’s supporters have asked Sweden to guarantee that he would not be extradited to the US, which Swedish officials say they cannot legally do. Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt has however insisted that his country would not extradite a suspect to a country where they would face the death penalty.