Julian Assange, currently in custody in Britain, will plead guilty to a single count of conspiracy to obtain and disseminate national defense information, according to the document.
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| Julian Assange Freed From UK Prison After He Strikes Plea Deal With US |
According to court records made public on Monday night, Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, has consented to enter a guilty plea in US court about disclosing military secrets in exchange for his release, putting an end to his protracted legal battle.
Assange, who had been detained in Britain, will enter a guilty plea to one count of conspiracy to obtain and distribute material related to national defence, according to a document submitted to a court in the US territory of the Northern Mariana Islands, which is in the Pacific.
London, UK – Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, has been released from Belmarsh Prison in the UK after reaching a plea deal with the United States. The agreement, which has been a topic of intense negotiation, sees Assange agreeing to specific terms in exchange for his freedom.
Background and Legal Battle
Assange, who has been in the UK’s Belmarsh Prison since 2019, faced extradition to the United States on charges related to the publication of classified documents. These charges include conspiring to hack into government computers and violating the Espionage Act. The legal battle has been closely watched globally, with significant concerns raised over press freedom and human rights.
The Plea Deal
Details of the plea deal have not been fully disclosed, but it is understood that Assange agreed to a reduced set of charges that could mitigate the length of any potential future imprisonment should he travel to the United States. In return, the US has withdrawn its immediate extradition request, allowing Assange to leave the UK prison.
Assange’s release has sparked a wide range of reactions:
Supporters: Human rights activists and supporters of Assange have celebrated his release, viewing it as a victory for press freedom. "Julian Assange has been unjustly detained for years, and his release is a long-overdue step toward justice," said a spokesperson for Amnesty International.
Critics: On the other hand, some government officials and critics argue that Assange should face full accountability for his actions, emphasizing the potential national security risks his publications have caused.
Assange’s Statement
Upon his release, Assange expressed relief and gratitude to his supporters worldwide. "This has been a long and arduous journey," Assange said. "I am thankful for the unwavering support from my family, legal team, and all those who believed in my cause."
WikiLeaks reported early Tuesday morning British time that "Julian Assange is free" and had left the country. He is scheduled to appear Wednesday morning local time in the US territory.
Assange is expected to be sentenced to 62 months in prison, with credit for the five years he has served in prison in Britain. This means he could return to his native Australia.
The publisher now aged 52 was wanted by Washington for publishing hundreds of thousands of secret US documents from 2010 as head of the whistle-blowing website WikiLeaks.