WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is finally returning to Australia after a long and complex legal battle. He pleaded guilty to a felony espionage charge in a US court as part of a plea deal with the Department of Justice. This resolution marks the end of a legal fight that began over a decade ago, sparked by WikiLeaks’ release of classified US defense documents in 2010.
These documents alleged US war crimes in Afghanistan and Syria.
Assange’s US lawyer, Barry J Pollack, stated outside court that the prosecution of his client was “unprecedented” and that Assange should not have been charged with an espionage offense for publishing the documents.
Assange In Saipan Court
Chief Judge Ramona Manglona said to Assange, “With this pronouncement, it appears you will be able to walk out of this courtroom a free man. I hope there will be some peace restored.”
Assange’s Australian lawyer, Jennifer Robinson, said, “It’s a historic day, and the deal has come as a huge relief to Julian Assange, to his friends, family, supporters, to us, and to everyone who believes in free speech around the world.”
She added, “There has been a global movement behind Julian to protect free speech, and it is because of that global movement of support that today’s outcome is possible.” Robinson also thanked Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for his role in achieving the outcome.
Assange arrived in Saipan, part of the Northern Mariana Islands, on Wednesday morning as part of the plea deal. He was sentenced to time served in exchange for his guilty plea to the espionage charge. The charge carried a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in prison. Chief Judge Ramona Manglona approved the plea deal. She further noted that if Assange had faced court in 2012, she would have been less inclined to accept it. However, the passage of time showed that no one was physically harmed due to the leak. Assange spent five years in the UK’s Belmarsh Prison fighting extradition to the United States. The plea deal resolves a 14-year battle over Assange’s future. But it has also raised concerns about the potential chilling effect on press freedom. Free speech advocates highlight the need for Assange’s style of activist journalism.
Plea Deal Of Assange
Assange spent seven years in the Ecuadorian embassy in London fighting moves to extradite him to Sweden on a charge of rape. He was concerned that he would be extradited to the United States. Especially, if he went to Sweden to fight the charge. The UK government maintained a 24-hour guard outside the embassy, preventing his escape to Ecuador. The charge was eventually dropped in 2019 due to insufficient evidence. Assange is expected to arrive in Canberra, Australia. This is an end to his 14 Years Ordeal.