Britain's Supreme Court has rejected Julian Assange's bid to reopen his extradition case, meaning the Australian founder of WikiLeaks could be sent to Sweden by the end of the month.
Assange is wanted for questioning in Sweden after two women accused him of sexual misconduct during a visit in mid-2010.
His legal struggle to stay in Britain has dragged on for almost two years.
On Thursday, the court rejected arguments Assange's legal team hadn't been given the chance to properly cross-examine the evidence justices relied on to deny his appeal against extradition.
Claes Borgstrom, the lawyer for Assange's accusers, told AP Thursday's ruling is "an obvious and expected decision that has been delayed for too long".
The development effectively exhausts Assange's legal options in Britain.
He could apply to the European Court of Human Rights, but legal experts say the 40-year-old stands little chance there.
Lawyer Jennifer Robinson, who has represented Assange, said it wasn't clear whether he would try to get the court involved.
"(That's) still being considered," she tweeted.
Assange denies any wrongdoing, saying he had sex with the women, but it was consensual.
He and WikiLeaks' supporters have suggested the case was being manipulated to political ends by foes angered over the group's spectacular revelations.
The website has been responsible for the largest leaks of classified documents in US history,including some 250,000 State Department cables.
Britain's Supreme Court has given Assange two week's grace before extradition proceedings can start. Once that period is up, officials have 10 days to fly Assange to Sweden.
If the European Court does not intervene, he could be sent out of Britain between June 28 and July 7.
Swedish prosecutor Marianne Ny declined to comment, saying she would hold a news conference once Assange arrived in Sweden.
