Julian Assange to Plead Guilty to Espionage Charge, Will Seek Pardon
LONDON - Stella Assange, wife of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, announced on Tuesday plans to seek a pardon after he agreed to plead guilty to violating U.S. espionage law. This agreement concludes his prolonged legal battle in the UK.
Julian Assange, 52, will admit to conspiring to obtain and disclose classified U.S. defense documents. He is expected to be sentenced to time served, amounting to 62 months, during a hearing in Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands.
Following his plea, Assange will be free to return to Australia. Stella Assange, involved in his legal campaign, noted her relief but expressed frustration over his prolonged detention. The couple married during his incarceration in Belmarsh prison and have two children born during his asylum in the Ecuadorean Embassy in London.
Stella emphasized concerns regarding the espionage conviction's implications for journalists and mentioned a fundraising campaign to cover travel expenses estimated at half a million U.S. dollars.
Julian Assange's plea deal closes a 14-year legal saga involving his refuge in the Ecuadorean embassy and subsequent imprisonment in the UK. He is expected to appear in Saipan court on Wednesday morning and return to Australia shortly thereafter.