Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, has returned home to Australia after nearly fifteen years in prison cells and embassy walls.Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, has returned home to Australia after nearly fifteen years in prison cells and embassy walls. Assange was arrested in 2019 for publishing secret US military footage showing the killing of Iraqi civilians and two Reuters journalists by US forces. He had been held in Ecuador’s embassy in London for seven years before being extradited to the US. In June 2024, Assange reached a plea deal with the US, pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit espionage in exchange for a “time already served” sentence. Upon landing in Canberra, Australia, Assange was reunited with his wife, Stella Assange, and their two children. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese welcomed Assange home, saying he was “very happy that this saga is over.” Assange’s supporters have praised his release, calling him a hero for exposing government secrets. However, his critics have accused him of putting lives at risk and aiding the enemy. Assange has said that he is “grateful to everyone who has supported” him and that he “needs time to recover and get used to freedom.”
Julian Assange has spent his first evening as a free man at home in Australia, after almost fifteen years in prison cells and embassy walls.
Assange has been on the run since his organization WikiLeaks published secret US military footage allegedly showing the killing of Iraqi civilians and two Reuters journalists by US forces.
For seven years he was held in Ecuador’s embassy in London, evading an extradition warrant to the US over the leaks, until 2019 when police entered the embassy and arrested Assange, placing him in prison where he remained until a few days ago .
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange (center L) embraces his wife Stella Assange (center R) after arriving at Canberra Airport in Canberra on June 26, 2024. Photo: AFP.
Since 2012, he has been fighting extradition attempts and subsequent charges of violating the U.S. Espionage Act, which carried a maximum penalty of 175 years in prison.
On Wednesday, June 26 of this year, Assange finally reached a plea deal with the US, pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit espionage in exchange for a “time already served” sentence.
Upon landing in Canberra, Australia, Assange rushed into the arms of his wife and mother of their two children, Stella Assange, on Wednesday evening.
Ms Assange told the media that he was grateful to everyone who had supported him, but that he was tired and asked if the family could be given privacy.
“Julian needs time to recover and get used to freedom,” Assange said. “Freedom comes slowly, and I want Julian to have that space to rediscover freedom slowly and quickly.”
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also spoke to Assange by phone, welcoming him home and saying: “I am very happy that this saga is over.”
