Sweden rejects Assange residence

The Swedish migration board has rejected an application for residence by Wikileaks founder Julian Assange.

The application was part of Assange's strategy to secure better protections for Wikileaks' sources.

"We took the decision to reject his application. He has received notice today in mail," the migration board's Gunilla Wikström told Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet Monday.

She could not say why his application was turned down, citing confidentiality.

The rejection was a significant set back for Assange hopes to give Wikileaks sources better protection.

Assange had reportedly made an application to have Wikileaks recognised as such. However a prerequisite for the status is that the person making the application is a Swedish resident.

If Wikileaks was recognised as an official Swedish publisher it would be able to extend Sweden's strong protection laws to Wikileaks' sources.

The Swedish Radio and Television Authority has not received an application to have Wikileaks recognised as a publisher, according to Swedish paper, Svenska Dagbladet.

Assange's application for Swedish residence was made as he faced highly publicised rape allegations, which were still under investigation by Swedish authorities.

A decision by prosecutor Marianne New on whether to lay charges was expected shortly.