WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange arrived in Australia on Wednesday to a jubilant reception after reaching a plea deal that ends his 14-year legal battle. Assange landed at Canberra airport on a private jet around 7:30 p.m. (1130 GMT), greeted by waiting media. He warmly embraced his wife, Stella, passionately kissing her and lifting her off the ground, then shared a heartfelt moment with his father before heading into the terminal with his legal team.
His arrival marks the conclusion of a long saga that saw him spend over five years in a high-security British jail and seven years in asylum at the Ecuadorean embassy in London. During this time, he fought extradition to Sweden over sexual assault allegations and later to the U.S., where he faced 18 criminal charges related to WikiLeaks’ release of classified U.S. military documents in 2010.
In a recent three-hour hearing in Saipan, Assange pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to obtain and disclose classified national defense documents. He explained that, as a journalist, he believed he was protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees free speech, although he acknowledged it constituted a violation of the espionage statute.
Chief U.S. District Judge Ramona V. Manglona accepted his plea, noting there was no personal victim from Assange’s actions and released him based on time served in the UK. While the U.S. government criticized him for endangering its agents, Assange’s supporters hailed him as a champion of free speech and transparency.
Assange’s U.S. lawyer, Barry Pollack, affirmed that WikiLeaks would continue its work. His Australian lawyer, Jennifer Robinson, expressed gratitude to the Australian government for facilitating his release, echoed by Assange’s father, John Shipton, who expressed relief and emphasized the importance of Assange being able to lead a normal life in Australia.
Assange’s return home comes after concerted efforts by Australian politicians and advocates who raised concerns about the implications of his guilty plea for journalism and press freedom. His return to Australia marks a significant chapter in his tumultuous journey, where he hopes to reunite with his family and resume a semblance of normalcy.
