After an arduous legal battle spanning several years, the renowned WikiLeaks founder, Julian Assange, has escaped extradition to the U.S. and instead embarked on a journey back to his homeland, Australia. WikiLeaks announced triumphantly on X on Tuesday that Assange had reached an agreement with the U.S. authorities, pleading guilty to a single criminal charge, allowing him to walk free after serving five long years in a British jail.
The 52-year-old, having bid farewell to the U.K., will not face extradition to the U.S. but will instead return to the arms of his native Australia. WikiLeaks' official account on X (formerly Twitter) revealed that Assange had departed from Belmarsh prison on Monday, having spent a total of 1,901 days confined in a cramped cell. His release was finalized at London's Stansted Airport in the afternoon, with a video shared online seemingly capturing the moment Assange was driven to the airport, destined for a plane home.
This momentous development follows a protracted legal struggle that traversed the High Court of England and the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C. In May, Assange's extradition order was overturned as the Biden administration failed to provide the court with adequate assurances, including guarantees of freedom of speech and the absence of the death penalty.
The U.S. had sought Assange's extradition to stand trial on 17 counts of espionage and a single charge of computer misuse, stemming from WikiLeaks' publication of a vast trove of classified documents over a decade ago. American prosecutors alleged that Assange unlawfully assisted Chelsea Manning, a U.S. Army intelligence analyst, in stealing classified diplomatic cables and military files, which WikiLeaks later published, putting lives in jeopardy.
However, journalism organizations and human rights groups vocally opposed the extradition request, arguing that Assange was acting as a journalist and thus entitled to the protections of the First Amendment for publishing documents that exposed U.S. military misconduct in Iraq and Afghanistan. They insisted that his case was politically motivated.
Assange's legal team had previously warned that he could face up to 175 years in prison if convicted in the U.S., though American authorities had previously stated that any sentence was likely to be far more lenient.
"This is the culmination of a global movement, encompassing grassroots organizers, press freedom advocates, legislators, and leaders from across the political spectrum, even reaching the United Nations," declared WikiLeaks. "This has paved the way for lengthy negotiations with the U.S. Department of Justice, resulting in a deal that is yet to be officially sealed. We will disclose further details as soon as possible."
"After enduring more than five years in a tiny 2x3-meter cell, isolated for 23 hours a day, he will soon be reunited with his wife, Stella Assange, and their children, who have only known their father through prison bars. WikiLeaks has uncovered groundbreaking stories of government corruption and human rights abuses, holding the powerful accountable for their actions. As editor-in-chief, Julian has paid dearly for upholding these principles and for the people's right to know. As he returns to Australia, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to all who stood by us, fought for us, and remained steadfast in the battle for his freedom."
