Assange’s freedom is one of unflagging pressure brought by the Australian government. But that pressure wasn’t necessarily just on the US. It was likely also placed on Assange and his legal teams..
The prime minister spoke with Assange moments after the WikiLeaks founder touched down in Australia after his guilty plea in the Northern Mariana Islands earlier in the day.
In pleading guilty to one count under the US Espionage Act as part of a plea deal, the WikiLeaks founder’s case has left some large legal concepts unresolved.
Julian Assange may be heading for home and freedom, but how high a price has he had to pay for releasing government secrets? And what message has his punishment sent?
Assange’s supporters differ in their views about what he did. But there had come to be a general belief, as the PM repeatedly said, that ‘enough is enough’.
My own ordeal in Egypt, where I was imprisoned on terrorism charges, was nothing compared to Assange’s. But I understand the weird blend of elation, confusion and disorientation sudden release brings.
Julian Assange has entered a plea deal with the US government and is expected to be freed following a hearing in the US Federal Court in Saipan, the Northern Mariana Islands. Assange’s convoluted legal…
Julian Assange has reached a deal with the United States Justice Department to allow him to return to Australia after pleading guilty to violating American espionage law.