The US justice department has confirmed that WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange will face up to five years in prison if convicted.

"Assange is charged with conspiracy to commit computer intrusion and is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.  He faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison if convicted. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties," the statement noted.

The founder of WikiLeaks, was arrested today in the United Kingdom pursuant to the U.S./UK Extradition Treaty, in connection with a federal charge of conspiracy to commit computer intrusion for agreeing to break a password to a classified U.S. government computer.

On Thursday, Assange was arrested by the London police in the Ecuadorian embassy in the British capital. Earlier it was reported that Ecuador decided to deny Assange asylum. Later, the UK Foreign Office thanked the Government of Ecuador for helping to arrest the founder of WikiLeaks.