WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has been released from prison in the United Kingdom and is heading to Australia after reaching a plea deal with the United States. After spending 1901 days in Belmarsh maximum security prison, Assange was freed on June 24.
He left the UK and is en route to the US Pacific territory of Saipan for a court hearing following his stop in Bangkok for refueling. Assange, 52, has agreed to plead guilty to a single charge of breaching US espionage law.
Assange is expected to be sentenced to 62 months, accounting for time served, at a court hearing in Saipan on June 26. His family, including wife Stella and mother Christine Assange, expressed relief at his impending release. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese welcomed the news, emphasizing the need to bring Assange home.
Julian Assange founded WikiLeaks in 2006, gaining recognition for releasing classified US documents. His release brings an end to a long legal battle and raises important questions about press freedom and international law.
Jodie Ginsberg, chief executive of the Committee to Protect Journalists, praised the plea deal, highlighting the global impact on journalism if Assange had been prosecuted under the Espionage Act.
Barnaby Joyce, former deputy prime minister of Australia, noted the precedent set by Assange’s case regarding extraterritorial charges.