CANBERRA: Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, returned to his homeland of Australia on Wednesday, to start life as a free man after admitting he revealed US defence secrets in a plea deal that unlocked the door to his London prison cell.
Julian Assange arrived in Canberra aboard a private jet, greeted by a chilly evening and a crowd of journalists, photographers, and supporters. Stepping off the plane in a dark suit with a white shirt and brown tie, Assange raised a triumphant fist and embraced his wife Stella, lifting her off the ground in a heartfelt reunion. He then shared an emotional embrace with his father amidst the gathered media.
His return marks the culmination of an international saga that saw him serve five years and two months in London’s high-security Belmarsh prison. The resolution came unexpectedly in a courtroom on the US Pacific territory of Northern Mariana Islands, where Assange pleaded guilty to a single count of conspiracy to obtain and disseminate US national defence information.
“You will be able to walk out of this courtroom a free man,” the judge declared, finalizing the plea deal that allowed Assange to return home.
Assange’s legal team described the day as historic, marking the end of a protracted legal battle that had spanned over 14 years and involved contentious issues surrounding freedom of the press and government transparency.
“A monumental day,” said Assange’s lawyer Jen Robinson, emphasizing the significance of the case in shaping discussions on First Amendment rights in the 21st century.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed satisfaction at the outcome, acknowledging the varied opinions surrounding Assange’s actions but stressing that the case had endured for too long.
“Regardless of your views about his activities, Mr. Assange’s case has dragged on for too long,” Albanese remarked in parliament.
The United Nations also welcomed Assange’s release, citing human rights concerns raised by his extended legal ordeal. However, former US Vice President Mike Pence criticized the plea deal, labeling it a “miscarriage of justice” that dishonored US military service members.
Under the terms of the plea deal, Assange is prohibited from returning to the United States without permission. US authorities had sought his extradition over charges related to WikiLeaks’ publication of classified military documents.
Assange gained international prominence for releasing confidential US documents through WikiLeaks, including video footage showing civilians killed by a US helicopter gunship in Iraq in 2007.
Following his arrest in 2019, Assange spent time in Belmarsh prison while fighting extradition. Prior to that, he had sought refuge in Ecuador’s embassy in London for seven years to avoid extradition to Sweden over allegations of sexual assault, which were later dropped.
In Australia, Assange’s return was met with emotional scenes as Stella Assange expressed overwhelming joy and relief. “I can’t stop crying,” she exclaimed, reflecting on the momentous occasion.
Assange’s legal saga came to a conclusion just weeks before a scheduled appeal in British court against his extradition to the United States, where he faced multiple charges under the Espionage Act.
