Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, agreed to plead guilty to a single felony count of illegally obtaining and disclosing national security material in exchange for his release from a British prison. He is expected to appear before a federal judge in Saipan, the capital of the Northern Mariana Islands, scheduled to fly back to Australia after the proceedings. This deal would bring an end to a prolonged battle that began after Mr. Assange became known for revealing state secrets in the 2010s, including material about American military activity in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the release of thousands of emails stolen from the Democratic National Committee during the 2016 campaign.
Mr. Assange was indicted in 2019 on 18 counts related to WikiLeaks’ dissemination of national security documents, which could have led to a maximum of 170 years in federal prison if convicted. He had been held in a high-security prison in southeast London, surrounded by strict conditions, including spending 23 hours a day in a cell. The prime minister of Australia and President Biden signaled openness to a rapid resolution, leading to the agreement for his release due to the time already served in prison.
Mr. Assange sought sanctuary in Ecuador’s embassy in London years earlier to avoid extradition to Sweden, where he faced accusations of sexual assault. He has been held in custody since then, with his legal team fighting the U.S. government’s efforts to extradite him. Mr. Assange has now agreed to plead guilty to one of the charges in the indictment – conspiracy to disseminate national defense information. His supporters argue that his actions were in the public interest and deserved First Amendment protections, despite U.S. officials claiming that his actions endangered national security.
Various civil-liberties and human-rights groups have urged the Biden administration to drop its efforts to extradite and prosecute Mr. Assange, stating that the case poses a threat to press freedom. Mr. Assange has remained in Belmarsh prison as he has repeatedly challenged the extradition order. In 2021, he had a small stroke while in prison, further complicating his legal proceedings. His wife, Stella Assange, remains supportive of him and has called for the Biden administration to abandon the prosecution.
Despite being rarely seen in public due to health issues, Mr. Assange’s case has gathered significant attention as it has progressed through the courts. His release from prison is a significant development, with many of his supporters expressing relief that he will be free and able to start a new chapter in his life. The proceedings in Saipan will mark the end of a long and bitter standoff with the United States for Julian Assange, allowing him to return to his native Australia after years of legal battles and imprisonment.
