Sweden's top court upholds Assange detention order

Sweden's highest court on Monday rejected WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange's appeal of a pre-trial detention order over sexual assault allegations.

The Supreme Court in Stockholm said there is no reason to revoke the order, which was issued by prosecutors in 2010.

Prosecutors want to question Assange, 43, over allegations of rape, sexual molestation and illegal coercion made by two women after he traveled to Sweden in 2010. Assange, who has not been formally indicted, denies the allegations.

Per Samuelson, Assange's lawyer, told Reuters: "We are of course disappointed, and critical of the Supreme Court's way of handling the case. This decision has been taken without letting us close our argument."

The Australian took refuge in Ecuador's embassy in London in June 2012 fearing extradition to the U.S., where WikiLeaks published secret documents including 250,000 State Department cables.

In March, Swedish prosecutors agreed to question Assange in London, but are still discussing details including possible dates with his lawyers.

Contributing: Associated Press