Updated

STOCKHOLM  -- The lawyer for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange says his client has been questioned by Swedish police regarding allegations of molestation.

Leif Silbersky says Assange was questioned by police in Stockholm for about an hour late Monday and was formally informed of the suspicions against him.

Silbersky said Tuesday his client denies the allegations and is hopeful the prosecutor will drop the case.

Police started investigating Assange earlier this month after two Swedish women accused him of rape and molestation, but the prosecutor later closed the rape investigation.

Molestation is not a sex crime under Swedish law, but covers offenses such as reckless conduct or inappropriate physical contact. It can result in fines or up to one year in prison.