Wikileaks founder Julian Assange arrives in Australia after end of his prolonged legal ordeal

New Delhi, June 26: Wikileaks founder Julian Assange has returned to Australia after being released from a US court, bringing an end to a prolonged legal ordeal. Upon arrival, he was warmly greeted by his wife and father as a small group of supporters cheered.

Assange’s release follows his guilty plea to a single charge in the court of the Northern Mariana Islands on Wednesday, concluding a years-long case pursued by US prosecutors for publishing secret military information. This plea was part of a deal that significantly reduced the charges from the original 18 to just one, avoiding a potentially lengthy sentence in a high-security US prison.

Having fought extradition from the UK for five years, Assange left the country on Monday. Outside the courthouse, Assange’s legal team celebrated the resolution as a triumph for free speech. His lawyer, Jennifer Robinson, highlighted Assange’s legacy in sparking critical discussions on press freedom and national security. She also expressed gratitude to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for his advocacy, which she credited with aiding Assange’s release.

“This brings to an end a case which has been recognized as the greatest threat to the First Amendment in the 21st century,” Robinson stated. The judge accepted the 62 months Assange had already spent in custody as his sentence, calling it “fair” and “reasonable.” “You will be able to walk out of this courtroom a free man,” declared Judge Manglona.

Judge Manglona also reflected on the historical context, mentioning the 80th anniversary of the battles on Saipan, and expressed hope that resolving this case would bring peace. Assange now faces no further prison time and is set to return to Australia following the hearing held in the Northern Mariana Islands, a US territory.

Assange had been pursued by US prosecutors for leaking vast amounts of secret military information, facing a potentially lengthy sentence. Last week, he agreed to a plea deal with the US, pleading guilty to one espionage charge. This deal reduced the charges from the initial 18, allowing him to avoid a lengthy prison term. After spending seven years in the Ecuadorian embassy, Assange’s journey out of the UK marks a significant turn in his life.

His wife, Stella Assange, expressed her joy over his release to the BBC. The US Department of Justice (DOJ) released a statement outlining the case’s backstory and the plea deal’s outcome, which prohibits Assange from returning to the United States without permission. Stella Assange also told Reuters that they would seek a pardon for his conviction, which could potentially allow Assange to return to the US without restrictions.