WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange

Assange's legal team made the case after a hearing Tuesday in which his extradition to Sweden for sexual misconduct charges was considered.  The open information activist could face extradition to the United States against his will for his political activism if he is sent to Sweden, his defense argues.

"If Mr Assange were rendered to the USA, without assurances that the death penalty would not be carried out, there is a real risk that he could be made subject to the death penalty. It is well known that prominent figures have implied, if not stated outright, that Mr Assange should be executed," they said.

The fate of Assange's possible extradition to Sweden, which his lawyers are fiercely fighting, is to be decided February 7.

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