Julian Assange, the founder of Wikileaks, has been set free. He has been let out of a London prison after being in prison for close to seven years. Assange is expected to enter into a plea bargain with the US government in a US court.
This comes as a shock to many because Assange had been actively defending himself against extradition to the US for quite some time now.
Assange Release
The Australian parliament had earlier this year requested that the US and the UK permit Assange to return to his place of origin. Also, this release comes in response to that request.
Assange has consented to plead guilty in a US court for breaching the Espionage Act. However, it is unclear exactly what circumstances led to his release.
Assange’s Journey
Assange first came into global prominence when in 2010. He posted thousands of classified documents belonging to the US military on his website Wikileaks revealing acts of war cruelties and human rights violations.
This act generated a lot of concern in the international community and prompted some investigation by the US authorities.
Extradition Efforts
Furthermore, in the year 2019, the United States government laid an indictment against Assange with 17 counts of violating the Espionage Act and one count of conspiracy to commit computer fraud.
In this regard, the US government wanted to have him extradited to Washington DC to stand trial. The details of Assange’s plea deal are still being worked out, and a guilty plea with the US government is still pending.
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Details on Assange’s Case
Australian native Julian Assange has been battling for years to avoid being extradited to the United States. This is after a grand jury in 2019 indicted him for obtaining and distributing secret American national defense material unlawfully.
Attorneys for the prosecution said that Assange was enlisting others to “hack into computers and/or unlawfully obtain and disclose classified information.” Assange shared information regarding US actions in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq through his website “WikiLeaks.” It attracted indignation and attention from all across the world.
Australian Parliament Request
The specifics of Assange’s abrupt release after all these years remain unclear. But it did come about as a result of a February vote in the Australian Parliament demanding that the US and the UK grant Assange permission to return home.
Australian lawmaker Andrew Wilki described the resounding vote as “an unprecedented show of political support for Mr. Assange by the Australian parliament.”
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London Prison Stay
Assange was detained in London in April 2019 and has been in custody for more than six years. Also, he is charged with involvement in the publication of classified information.
However, during his imprisonment, Assange was adamant that he was a journalist and that his work fell within the purview of the First Amendment.
Judge’s Approval is Required
On a single Espionage Act accusation which involves plotting to get sensitive material illegally, Assange is due to plead guilty.
He is most likely going to be released from custody and allowed to return to Australia, his native country, without facing any additional accusations. His plea cannot go into effect unless the judge gives his approval, even if the US government has accepted his guilty plea.
First Amendment Implications
This has been illustrated by the case of Assange and the debate as to whether he is a journalist or not. Also, whether he has a right to post information of such nature under the First Amendment of the Constitution.
Some people pointed to the First Amendment protection of Assange, while others said that he endangered National Security.
Legal Precedent
The press community has expressed its concern over Assange’s treatment and potential ramifications to press freedom. Some people have opined that his case creates a legal precedence that threatens the lives of journalists and whistleblowers globally.
The legacy left behind by Assange is quite mixed and polarizing as well. Additionally, others consider him a man who unveiled state misconduct and focused on essential topics. Some regarded him as a betrayer who sold the nation down the river.
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Global Anticipation
Responses to Assange’s anticipated plea bargain have been diverse across the globe. Some countries have condemned his actions while others have feared the repercussions on the freedom of the press.
It remains to be seen what will become of Assange after he is due to accept the plea bargain. He may end up spending time in prison, but the duration of his confinement is uncertain.
Freedom of Speech
The case of Julian Assange and WikiLeaks can be discussed in terms of freedom of speech, security for any country, and the responsibilities of insiders. While he negotiates a plea deal with the US government it is unclear what will happen to him and what this means for the future of journalism.
This is the story of Assange showing that government officials must be made to answer for their actions. May his new journey in life carry on the torch he lit illuminating people to stand up for what is right, justice, and liberty.
WikiLeaks Reports
The official WikiLeaks account on X welcomed Assange’s freedom. A video of him was posted boarding an aircraft, releasing him from detention for the first time in years.
However, Julian Assange takes off Monday, June 24 at 5 p.m. (BST) from London Stansted Airport. Wikileaks on X remarked, “This is for everyone who worked for his freedom: thank you.”
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