Julian Assange Freed Under US Plea Deal: A New Chapter for WikiLeaks Founder

[Social Media]

 

Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, has been released from a British prison following a plea deal with US authorities that concludes his long-running legal saga. Assange, 52, faced charges of conspiracy to obtain and disclose national defense information due to his role in releasing classified documents related to the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

 

For years, US officials have contended that the WikiLeaks disclosures endangered lives by revealing sensitive military operations and intelligence. Despite these accusations, Assange's case has been fraught with controversy, with many supporters arguing that his prosecution was politically motivated.

 

Assange spent the last five years incarcerated in the UK, battling extradition to the United States. His release comes after he agreed to plead guilty to a criminal charge, a decision that will see him avoid further time in US custody. According to CBS, Assange will receive credit for the time he has already spent in a UK prison.

 

The Journey to Release

Assange left Belmarsh prison on Monday after 1,901 days in detention. A statement from WikiLeaks confirmed that he was released at Stansted Airport, from where he boarded a plane back to Australia. This marks a significant turn in a case that has kept Assange under intense legal and public scrutiny for over a decade. Video footage shared by WikiLeaks shows Assange, casually dressed in jeans and a blue shirt, being driven to the airport before his departure. Although the BBC has not independently verified this footage, the scenes depict a pivotal moment for Assange and his supporters.

 

Stella Assange, his wife, expressed her gratitude on social media, thanking the numerous supporters who have campaigned tirelessly for his release. "We have mobilized for years to make this come true," she tweeted.

 

Legal and Political Implications

The plea deal is set to be finalized in a court in the Northern Mariana Islands on June 26. This remote US commonwealth in the Pacific is considerably closer to Australia compared to US federal courts in Hawaii or the mainland United States. This unusual venue for the finalization of the deal underscores the complex and often unconventional nature of Assange's legal battles. Australia's government, through a spokesperson quoted by Agence France-Presse, expressed relief over the resolution, stating that the case had "dragged on for too long." However, Assange's attorney, Richard Miller, declined to comment, and the BBC has yet to receive a response from Assange's US-based lawyer.

 

US President Joe Biden had earlier indicated that he was considering a request from Australia to drop the prosecution against Assange. In April, the UK High Court allowed Assange to challenge his extradition, offering him an opportunity to contest the US government's assurances regarding his trial and the protection of his free speech rights.

 

A Decade of Controversy

The US initially sought to prosecute Assange on 18 counts, primarily under the Espionage Act, for his role in publishing confidential military records and diplomatic messages. WikiLeaks, founded by Assange in 2006, is known for releasing over 10 million documents, described by the US government as "one of the largest compromises of classified information in the history of the United States." One of the most infamous releases by WikiLeaks was a 2010 video showing a US military helicopter attack in Baghdad that killed more than a dozen Iraqi civilians, including two Reuters news reporters. This and other disclosures significantly impacted public perception of US military operations and intelligence practices.

 

Previous Legal Battles

Assange's collaboration with Chelsea Manning, a former US Army intelligence analyst, is among his most notable associations. Manning was sentenced to 35 years in prison for her role in leaking classified documents but had her sentence commuted by President Barack Obama in 2017. Assange also faced allegations of rape and sexual assault in Sweden, which he denied. These charges led him to seek asylum in Ecuador's London embassy, where he remained for seven years. Although Sweden eventually dropped the case in 2019, citing the elapsed time since the original complaint, UK authorities arrested Assange for failing to surrender for extradition to Sweden.

 

Health and Public Appearances

Throughout his legal troubles, Assange's health has reportedly suffered. He experienced a minor stroke while in prison in 2021, and his prolonged confinement has taken a toll on his physical and mental well-being. Despite his high-profile status, Assange has been rarely seen in public, maintaining a relatively low profile during his incarceration.

 

Moving Forward

Assange's release and the conclusion of his legal battles mark a new chapter for WikiLeaks and its controversial founder. As he returns to Australia, the implications of his plea deal and the future of his activism remain subjects of intense speculation and debate. The resolution of his case may bring some closure to the families affected by the Sandy Hook massacre and others impacted by WikiLeaks' disclosures, but it also leaves many questions about press freedom, government transparency, and the balance between national security and the public's right to know.

 

Credit: BBC 2024-06-25

 

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[Tropicalevo]

So, by shagging his lawyer, this crim gets off the hook.

Sad

This was probably part of the submarine deal with Oz.

Edited June 25 by Tropicalevo

[2baht]

Julian who???

[Tug]

Hopefully someone catches up to this traitor soon 

[Cryingdick]

2 minutes ago, Tug said:

Hopefully someone catches up to this traitor soon 

 

And does what?

[Gaccha]

This is genuinely fantastic news. The sheer malevolence and cruelty of the American Empire was displayed in the treatment of this man. He simply showed the world who America is, and America did not like it.

 

Americans have been subjected to years and years of propaganda against Assange, so they will recoil at this news. For everyone else, this is the day where freedom of speech has actually triumphed.

[Gaccha]

8 minutes ago, Cryingdick said:

 

And does what?

 

Hopefully buys him a bottle of champagne. 

 

How can you possibly be a "traitor" when he is not an American citizen and not part of any military or an alliance network related to America...

 

The sheer arrogance of Americans to pin this label on him makes them all the more revolting.

Edited June 25 by Gaccha

[LosLobo]

23 minutes ago, impulse said:

It must have polled well when the Bad Orange Man suggested he may pardon Assange.

 

I would have thought Trump would have done that as Assange-released Clinton emails seemingly helped him with his 2016 election interference efforts.

Possibly Trump was busy pardoning his other fellow criminals.

[JonnyF]

Great news. The Americans have behaved disgracefully during this saga. 

[SAFETY FIRST]

59 minutes ago, Social Media said:

Assange, 52

Now free to go back to Oz but wasted away the best years of his life. 

 

My motto, stay safe and under the radar at all times, mind your own business and enjoy life, it's too short to be spent locked up. 

 

 

Edited June 25 by SAFETY FIRST

[expat_4_life]

25 minutes ago, LosLobo said:

I would have thought Trump would have done that as Assange-released Clinton emails seemingly helped him with his 2016 election interference efforts.

You seem to have a problem with transparency that I fail to comprehend.
Then go on to label it as interference ... 🙃

 

Assange revealed many things ... not simply Clinton emails.
He's one of the most prolific "whistle blowers" in recent decades.  Probably the greatest public service since the release of the Pentagon Papers.

Edited June 25 by expat_4_life

[mfd101]

From all accounts a pretty unpleasant fellow but no doubt somewhat overpunished for his sins (and greatly punished by his own choices over the last decade).

[LosLobo]

54 minutes ago, expat_4_life said:

You seem to have a problem with transparency that I fail to comprehend.
Then go on to label it as interference ... 🙃

 

Apologies for posting a response beyond your ken.

 

Perhaps the following may explain my post to you.

Trump offered to pardon Assange if he denied Russia helped leak Democrats' emails: lawyer | Reuters

Other cases to explain ' inference' where Trump meddled in election interference:

Trump election interference case paused in Georgia during challenge to prosecutor | Reuters

Trump trial: Prosecution say hush money was 'pure election fraud' (bbc.com)

Trump’s transparent attempt to play the victim on ‘election interference’ - The Washington Post (archive.md)

 

Edited June 25 by LosLobo

[rocketboy2]

Great news. 

[placeholder]

1 hour ago, Tug said:

Hopefully someone catches up to this traitor soon 

Assange is an Australian.

[expat_4_life]

45 minutes ago, LosLobo said:

Apologies for posting a response beyond your ken.

 

Perhaps the following may explain my post to you.

Trump offered to pardon Assange if he denied Russia helped leak Democrats' emails: lawyer | Reuters

Other cases to explain ' inference' where Trump meddled in election interference:

Trump election interference case paused in Georgia during challenge to prosecutor | Reuters

Trump trial: Prosecution say hush money was 'pure election fraud' (bbc.com)

Trump’s transparent attempt to play the victim on ‘election interference’ - The Washington Post (archive.md)

 

Fine job of moving the goalposts and it not beyond my "ken" at all, I only referred to your claims regards the Clinton emails.

 

Perhaps you should read the actual article you posted about Trump and the Assange pardon claim which has a mighty fine headline but fails to support it.

Trump offered to pardon Assange if he denied Russia helped leak Democrats' emails: lawyer | Reuters
 

Edited June 25 by expat_4_life

[Gaccha]

Gloriously, Thailand will play a small part in this rare glimmer of good news: 

 

[KhunBENQ]

Private charter jet VJT 199 from Stanstedt to Don Mueang landed at 12:30 PM.

Will continue to the Mariana Islands to face US court pro forma.

 

Edited June 25 by KhunBENQ

[KhunBENQ]

Bombardier Global 6000, high end private jet, range 11390 km (6140 nm).

Easy to do this around the world trip with one stop.

Edited June 25 by KhunBENQ

[impulse]

2 hours ago, placeholder said:

Assange is an Australian.

 

Don't confuse him with facts when he's on a tear.

 

[KhunBENQ]

According to an article in Bangkok Biz News the flight will continue at 9 PM to Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands. Maybe same crew after a minimal rest time?

Wonder whether he is allowed to the terminal airside?

Edited June 25 by KhunBENQ

[impulse]

7 minutes ago, KhunBENQ said:

According to an article in Bangkok Biz News the flight will continue at 9 PM to Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands. Maybe same crew after a minimal rest time?

Wonder whether he is allowed to the terminal airside?

 

Similar flight path to MH370?

 

[KhunBENQ]

9 minutes ago, impulse said:

 

Similar flight path to MH370?

 

Sure not

Quite exactly eastward, about 4800 km, 2600 nm.
Just a short hop compared to London.
The jet must have been parked at the most remote location at DMK.

Even reporters get a blurry picture only.

 

Edited June 25 by KhunBENQ
eastward!

[riclag]

5 hours ago, impulse said:

It must have polled well when the Bad Orange Man suggested he may pardon Assange.

 

I found out about this On Tommy Robinson’s X account just before he was arrested in Canada after giving a speech!

Viva Assange!

Viva Snowden !

Edited June 25 by riclag

[riclag]

5 hours ago, impulse said:

It must have polled well when the Bad Orange Man suggested he may pardon Assange.

 

Can you imagine Assange being in a conference room at the 

debate !

Its a bad day for sources & methods & Chuck Schumer ‘s , 6 ways to sunday cabal!

 

Methinks

[impulse]

Just now, riclag said:

Can you imagine Assange being in a conference room at the 

debate !

Its a bad day for sources & methods & Chuck Schumer ‘s , 6 ways to sunday cabal!

 

Methinks

 

It's a shame nobody of his ilk is in Camp David right now, watching them coach Joe with the actual questions, given to him in advance by CNN.

 

But I digress... 

 

Still, I fear for Assange's safety.  He must have a heck of a dead man switch to have survived this long.

 

[KhunBENQ]

1 minute ago, impulse said:

He must have a heck of a dead man switch to have survived this long.

Interestingly the flight took a reasonable detour compared to commercial flights (EVA air), avoiding Turkey and Iran.

[impulse]

Just now, KhunBENQ said:

Interestingly the flight took a reasonable detour compared to commercial flights (EVA air), avoiding Turkey and Iran.

 

I'm surprised they got past Diego Garcia.

 

[RayC]

It's a shame that Assange won't now have to face trial for his alleged sexual crimes in Sweden.

[KhunBENQ]

2 minutes ago, impulse said:

 

I'm surprised they got past Diego Garcia.

 

Your jokes are getting a bit worn out.