Julian Assange Released After Plea Deal, Returns to Australia

Julian Assange Released After Plea Deal, Returns to Australia

Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, has been released from Belmarsh Prison after a plea deal with the U.S. Department of Justice. The agreement reduced his 18 charges to one, carrying a five-year sentence, time he has already served.

Assange had been confined to the Ecuadorian embassy in London for seven years before being arrested and detained at Belmarsh prison. He faced extradition to the U.S. on espionage charges which could have resulted in a 170-year prison sentence. The plea deal, signed on June 19, led to his release and immediate return to Australia.

On June 26, 2024, Assange appeared before a judge in the Northern Mariana Islands, pleading guilty to a single felony charge of conspiracy to violate the Espionage Act. His legal team, including Barry Pollack and Jennifer Robinson, emphasized that the prosecution sets a dangerous precedent for press freedom and warned of its implications for journalists globally.

Assange's release was facilitated by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s persistent diplomatic efforts. Assange’s wife, Stella, and their two sons had already traveled to Australia anticipating his arrival.

Assange’s return to Australia marks the end of years of legal battles surrounding the publication of classified documents detailing U.S. military actions.