Wikileaks Founder Julian Assange Freed After 12 Years Following Plea Deal with US
News Mania Desk/ Agnibeena Ghosh/26th June 2024
Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, walked free for the first time in 12 years after a US judge approved his unexpected plea deal on Wednesday morning. Emerging from the courtroom in Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands, Assange acknowledged the press before heading to the airport and catching a flight to Canberra, Australia.
Assange’s US lawyer, Barry Pollack, spoke outside the court, highlighting Assange’s significant sacrifices in his fight for free speech and press freedom. “The prosecution of Julian Assange is unprecedented in the 100 years of the Espionage Act,” Pollack stated, asserting that Assange’s actions involved revealing truthful, newsworthy information and that he should never have been charged under the Espionage Act.
In a surprising turn of events, the 52-year-old Australian was released from a high-security prison in London on Monday afternoon, boarding a private jet to the United States before the world was even aware of his agreement with the US government. Assange appeared in a US courtroom on the Northern Mariana Islands to formalize the agreement, where he officially pleaded guilty to conspiring to unlawfully obtain and disseminate classified information.
“I am, in fact, guilty of the charge,” Assange admitted in court, marking a significant moment in a long legal battle. Due to his mistrust of the US and concerns about his safety, the proceedings took place in Saipan, closer to Australia and away from the continental US. This logistical decision also facilitated his eventual travel to Australia following the conclusion of his legal battle.
The plea deal hearing saw the judge reminding Assange of the court’s unique status as the “smallest, youngest, and furthest from the nation’s capital.” Assange appeared relaxed, wearing a black jacket and brown tie, as he recounted his actions as a journalist encouraging his source to provide classified information for publication. He argued that the First Amendment should protect such activities, though he accepted the difficulty of winning such a case under the Espionage Act.
Judge Ramona Manglona acknowledged Assange’s time served in British incarceration, allowing him to walk out of the courtroom a free man. She emphasized that timing was crucial and that a plea deal would have been less likely a decade ago, noting that there was no personal victim in Assange’s case.
Following his release, the US Department of Justice stated that Assange is barred from returning to the US without permission, pursuant to the plea agreement. This resolution marks the end of a 14-year legal saga, with Australian officials, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, expressing their satisfaction with the outcome.
Assange’s wife, Stella, expressed her elation at his release, describing it as surreal. His half-brother, Gabriel Shipton, celebrated the momentous day, emphasizing the impact of Assange’s work on the world. Shipton noted that Assange looks forward to resuming normal activities like bird watching, swimming, and spending time with his family.
Upon returning to Australia, Assange will owe $520,000 for the charter flight, a debt he plans to cover with the help of an international campaign appealing for donations to support his recovery. This marks a new chapter for Assange as he reunites with his family and begins his life anew after years of confinement.
