June 25th 2024.
The legal battle spanning over a decade has finally come to an end for Julian Assange. The infamous WikiLeaks founder has pleaded guilty to a single felony charge in a courtroom located in a remote US territory in the Pacific. His supporters shared that he arrived on the island of Saipan, located between Papua New Guinea and Japan, in the early hours of the morning. This was the final stage of a plea deal he had reached with the US Justice Department, as he was being transported from London where he had been held in prison.
Accompanied by the Australian ambassador to the US, Kevin Rudd, Assange arrived at the US courthouse in Saipan looking sharp in a dark suit and bronze-colored tie. It was shortly before 8 am AEST and the media was buzzing with the news of his plea deal. The timeline of his legal saga, from starting WikiLeaks to reaching this agreement with the US Justice Department, was being closely followed by the public. The courtroom where the hearing took place did not allow cameras, and it was unclear whether Assange or a representative would address the media after the hearing.
As per the terms of the plea deal, Assange pleaded guilty to a single felony charge for publishing classified US military secrets. He answered questions from US District Judge Ramona Manglona, who was appointed by former President Barack Obama, and seemed to be listening intently as the details of the agreement were discussed. One of the conditions of the deal was for him to destroy any information that was provided to WikiLeaks.
In his address to the court, Assange expressed his belief that the Espionage Act under which he was charged went against the First Amendment rights of the US. However, he also acknowledged that encouraging sources to provide classified information for publication could be considered unlawful. The media was eagerly waiting for any updates from inside the courtroom, but none were available at the time. After the hearing, Assange was scheduled to return to Australia, as the US had agreed not to seek a prison sentence for him.
It was a sudden turn of events for a case that had been slowly progressing through various British courts over the past five years while Assange remained behind bars. The flight from London carrying him, as confirmed by his wife Stella Assange, landed in Bangkok and then took off after refueling. WikiLeaks shared footage and pictures of his journey, from boarding the plane at London Stansted Airport to arriving in Thailand. His brother, Gabriel Shipton, shared that the family was overjoyed to finally have him coming home after years of fighting for his freedom.
The flight was accompanied by Australia's High Commissioner to the UK, Stephen Smith, and after their arrival in Saipan, Assange would plead guilty to a felony charge under the US Espionage Act. This would bring an end to his long-running legal battle and allow him to walk free immediately on time already served, which amounts to 62 months. It was also confirmed by British authorities that after being granted bail at a secret hearing, Assange had left the UK on Monday evening. The journey to his homeland was not yet complete, but his family and supporters were hopeful that he would soon be back on Australian soil.
It has been a long and tumultuous legal battle for Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks. After more than a decade, he has finally pleaded guilty to a single felony charge in a US courthouse located in the remote Pacific territory of Saipan. This marks the end of a long and complex saga surrounding the publication of classified documents.
Supporters of Assange shared on social media that his plane landed in Saipan early in the morning, as part of a plea deal with the US Justice Department. Dressed in a dark suit and bronze-colored tie, Assange arrived at the courthouse with the Australian ambassador to the US, Kevin Rudd, just before 8am.
The plea deal, which was announced the day before, involved Assange pleading guilty to publishing US military secrets. He appeared before US District Judge Ramona Manglona, appointed by former President Barack Obama, and listened intently as the terms of the deal were discussed. As part of the plea, he has also agreed to destroy any information that was provided to WikiLeaks.
Assange addressed the court, stating that he believes the Espionage Act, under which he was charged, goes against the First Amendment rights of the US. However, he also acknowledged that encouraging sources to provide classified information for publication can be considered unlawful. Cameras were not allowed inside the courtroom, and it is yet to be determined if Assange or a representative will speak after the hearing.
After the court appearance, Assange is scheduled to leave for Australia this evening. The US has stated that they will not seek a prison sentence for him. This is a significant development in a case that has been slowly progressing in various British courts over the past five years while Assange was behind bars.
In a surprising turn of events, the Australian journalist, who has either been in hiding or in prison for many years, was suddenly out of London's Belmarsh prison and out of the country. He was on a chartered flight that landed in Bangkok's Don Mueang International Airport and took off after refueling. WikiLeaks shared videos and photos of Assange's journey, from boarding the plane at London Stansted Airport to arriving in Thailand.
Assange's brother, Gabriel Shipton, expressed his overwhelming emotions about the prospect of his brother finally coming home. He mentioned that their family has been fighting for his freedom for many years, and this moment is something they have been eagerly waiting for. However, there are still a few hurdles for Assange to overcome before he can safely return to Australian soil. The family is hopeful and sending positive energy for his successful return.
The flight that Assange took was accompanied by Australia's High Commissioner to the UK, Stephen Smith. After reaching Saipan, he will plead guilty to a felony charge under the US Espionage Act. This will resolve the long-standing legal saga that has spanned multiple countries. In return, prosecutors will only seek a 62-month sentence, which is the same amount of time Assange has already spent in the high-security Belmarsh Prison. This will allow him to walk free immediately.
According to British judicial officials, Assange left the UK on Monday evening after being granted bail at a secret hearing the previous week. After many years of legal turmoil, this is a significant step towards freedom for Julian Assange.
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