Julian Assange set to be freed after pleading guilty to espionage charges

Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, has been released from a British prison and is set to plead guilty on Wednesday to violating US espionage law in a deal that will allow him to return to Australia after a lengthy legal battle. The agreement ends a 14-year ordeal for Assange, who has been embroiled in legal issues since WikiLeaks published a massive trove of classified US documents in 2010.

WikiLeaks shared a video on social media showing its founder boarding a flight at London’s Stansted airport on Monday evening. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed that Assange had departed the UK. The plane, chartered flight VJT199, later landed in Bangkok for refueling, according to Thai airport officials

Assange’s Legal Troubles

The US government accused Assange of endangering lives by publishing classified information. He was arrested in 2019 and spent over five years in a British prison fighting extradition to the US. Assange also faced sexual assault allegations in Sweden, which he has denied. Those who support Assange view him as a hero who exposed government wrongdoings and war crimes. They believe the US charges were politically motivated and aimed at punishing Assange for embarrassing American authorities.

Plea Bargain Reached

According to court filings, Assange agreed to plead guilty to a single count of conspiring to obtain and disclose classified US national defence documents. In exchange for his plea, he will be sentenced to time already served, which amounts to 62 months. The sentencing will take place Wednesday in Saipan, a US territory in the Northern Mariana Islands.

Return to Australia

Assange was born in Australia and has been campaigning to return home throughout his legal troubles. The US territory where he will be sentenced was chosen specifically to facilitate his return to Australia after the hearing. Assange’s wife, Stella, expressed her elation about the plea deal. She stated that while she is relieved, she will not fully rest assured until everything is finalized.

Appeal Dropped

Julian Assange had recently won permission to appeal his extradition to the US. This appeal was scheduled to be heard next month in London. Stella Assange said that the upcoming appeal factored into the plea deal negotiations.

What’s Next for Assange

After the sentencing hearing, Assange is expected to fly to Canberra, Australia. It remains to be seen whether Assange will face any legal challenges in his home country.