The long legal drama of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange seems to be coming to an end as he heads to a final US court hearing under a plea deal that will allow him to return to his native Australia as a “free man”. After being released from a British prison where he fought extradition to the US, Assange is set to plead guilty to a single count of conspiracy in a US territory in the Pacific. He is expected to be sentenced to 5 years and 2 months in prison, with credit for time served.
Assange’s wife, Stella, expressed joy and relief at the news, urging supporters to monitor his flight to ensure his safe journey. The court chosen for the hearing was in the Northern Mariana Islands due to Assange’s reluctance to go to the continental US and its proximity to Australia.
The end of Assange’s ordeal, which began with the release of US military secrets, was welcomed by some as a victory for free speech, while others criticized the plea deal. The United Nations and Assange’s mother expressed relief, while former US VP Mike Pence called it a “miscarriage of justice”.