HUNDREDS of protesters gathered in central London at the weekend to demand the release of journalist Julian Assange before his extradition hearing this week.

Campaigners assembled on Saturday before marching to the High Court, where speakers told a rally that the upcoming decision on the Wikileaks founder’s future will represent a landmark for press freedom.

Mr Assange, who is being held at south-east London’s Belmarsh prison, will appear at the court on Wednesday and Thursday as the US government appeals against the earlier decision which blocked his removal.