WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange’s request for an appeal has been granted by the Supreme Court.

The two-day appeal begins in February, which means Assange is safe from extradition until at least next year.

A statement from the court said it had “decided that seven justices will hear the appeal given the great public important of the issue raised, which is whether a prosecutor is a judicial authority”.

Assange’s legal team argue that police and prosecutors should not have the right to order extraditions because they are not a proper judicial authority.

The Swedish authorities want Assange to answer accusations of “raping” one woman and “sexually molesting and coercing” another in Stockholm last year.

Assange, whose WikiLeaks website published a mass of leaked diplomatic cables which embarrassed international governments and businesses, denies the allegations and says they are politically motivated.

The 40-year-old Australian is currently held on bail at a friend’s country estate in the southeast of England, where he wears an electronic tag.