US Federal Judge Accepts Assange’s Plea, Declares Him Free

A US judge has accepted WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange’s plea deal after he pled guilty to one charge of conspiring to unlawfully obtain and disseminate classified information relating to the national defense of the United States. The United States will next take steps to immediately overturn remaining charges against Assange in the Eastern District of Virginia. Although Assange’s guilty plea concludes a criminal prosecution against him, he is not allowed to return to the United States without permission.

Assange’s lawyer argued that no harm was caused by WikiLeaks founder Assange’s publications and stated that Assange will continue his work for freedom of speech and transparency in government. The US court ruled in favor of Assange, emphasizing the unprecedented nature of his prosecution under the Espionage Act.

Assange, an Australian citizen, has departed for Australia’s capital from the Northern Mariana Islands after being transferred to London’s high-security prison in 2019. The case sheds light on government transparency and freedom of the press.