In a dramatic turn of events, Julian Assange, the embattled founder of WikiLeaks, is poised to be released after agreeing to a plea deal with U.S. authorities. Assange, 52, will plead guilty to conspiring to obtain and disclose classified U.S. national defense documents. This agreement, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands, marks the culmination of a 14-year legal saga.
Early on June 25, 2024, Assange was seen boarding a plane in London, en route to his upcoming court appearance. A video shared by WikiLeaks shows him in casual attire, signing documents before stepping onto a private jet. This move follows his release from Belmarsh prison on Monday after being bailed by the UK High Court.
The chosen court in Saipan, Pacific, reflects Assange’s reluctance to enter mainland U.S. territory and its relative proximity to his homeland, Australia. He is expected to be sentenced to 62 months, accounting for time already served.
WikiLeaks celebrated this development in a statement, acknowledging the widespread support that spanned grassroots organizers to international leaders and even the United Nations. “Julian is free!!!!” exclaimed his wife, Stella Assange, expressing profound gratitude to all who supported their cause over the years.
Despite speculation about his flight’s exact route, Assange is set to return to Australia after the hearing. His release has been a significant agenda item for Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who has long argued against Assange’s continued detention.
Assange’s legal troubles began in 2010 when WikiLeaks released a vast trove of classified U.S. military and diplomatic documents. These disclosures, facilitated by former U.S. military intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning, included sensitive battlefield reports and diplomatic cables, significantly impacting U.S. foreign relations and military operations.
The charges against Assange, brought under the Espionage Act during Donald Trump’s presidency, have sparked widespread controversy. Advocates for press freedom have argued that prosecuting Assange sets a dangerous precedent for journalism worldwide. “A plea deal would avert the worst-case scenario for press freedom,” remarked Jameel Jaffer of the Knight First Amendment Institute, noting the chilling effect it could have on investigative journalism globally.
Assange’s journey has been fraught with legal and personal turmoil. Arrested in 2010 on a European warrant over now-dropped Swedish sex-crime allegations, he sought asylum in the Ecuadorian embassy in London, where he remained until his dramatic eviction in 2019. Subsequently, he has been held in Belmarsh prison, enduring five years of confinement while fighting U.S. extradition.
During his time in the embassy, Assange married his partner, Stella, with whom he has two children. Now, as he prepares to return home, the end of his long and contentious legal battle appears finally in sight.
