Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks (courtesy Creative Commons)

Two judges at the High Court in London rejected Assange’s argument that his extradition would be unlawful. The court ruled that the 40-year-old Australian should return to Sweden to face the sexual assault allegations made by two former WikiLeaks volunteers, according to ABC Melbourne.

Assange’s lawyers are expected to apply for an appeal with the UK Supreme Court, according to The Sydney Morning Herald. They have 14 days to file and will need to prove an issue of public importance to get Assange’s appeal heard. Assange could be forcibly sent to Sweden by the end of the month, The Guardian reports.

Assange faces sexual assault charges from two women, one who claims that he had unprotected sex with her while she was asleep, ABC Melbourne reports. Assange’s denied the allegations and claimed they were linked to the release of diplomatic cables earlier this year. Assange’s lawyers claimed that Assange offered to be questioned via video, which made his arrest warrant disproportionate.

Assange’s lawyers also claimed that Assange’s offenses would not be considered crimes in the UK, according to The Financial Times. The judges disagreed and said the allegations did pass “dual criminality tests” and were considered offenses in Sweden and the UK.

Assange, currently free under bail, accused the U.S. of putting pressure on Britain, ABC Melbourne reports.

The decision was reached four months after Assange’s July appeal.

Reach associate news editor Hannah Madans here.