Julian Assange, the WikiLeaks founder, was finally released from a high-security British prison after years of legal battles and drama. He pleaded guilty to a single count of conspiracy related to national defense information and was sentenced to five years and two months in prison, though he was credited for time spent behind bars in Britain.
Assange, a hero to free speech campaigners and a villain to others, left the court a free man and boarded a plane to Canberra, Australia, where he will be reunited with his family. His lawyer called it a “historic day” and highlighted the end of a 14-year legal battle.
The case had raised human rights concerns, with former US Vice President Mike Pence criticizing the plea deal. Assange, who released classified documents, including a video showing civilian casualties in Iraq, had been under the threat of a 175-year prison sentence in the US.
His release was welcomed by the United Nations and Australian authorities, signaling the end of a long and controversial chapter in Assange’s life.