WikiLeaks Founder Julian Assange has been released from Belmarsh high-security prison in south-east London after five years in British custody. His wife Stella Assange shared the news on social media platform X, expressing her gratitude to campaigners. “Julian has been released!!!!” she wrote, adding: “Words cannot express our gratitude to all those who supported the global effort to secure his release.”
Assange’s release marks a turning point in a lengthy legal battle that began with his detention for refusing to post bail related to Swedish sexual assault charges, which were later dropped.Assange, who was accused of revealing US military secrets, was fighting against extradition to the United States.
Here’s everything you need to know about Assange, his imprisonment and release:
What was the reason for the release of Julian Assange?
Assange was released after the UK High Court granted him bail. “Julian Assange has been released. He was released from Belmarsh maximum security prison on the morning of 24 June, after spending 1,901 days there,” WikiLeaks announced. The decision came after his successful appeal against extradition to the US.
How was Assange released from Belmarsh prison?
Assange was granted bail by the UK High Court and was released from Belmarsh prison on the morning of 24 June. He was released at Stansted Airport in the afternoon, from where he boarded a plane and left the UK.
What role did global campaigns play in Assange’s release?
WikiLeaks emphasized the impact of sustained global campaigns: “This is the result of a global campaign that involved grassroots organizers, press freedom campaigners, legislators and leaders from across the political spectrum, all the way to the United Nations.” These efforts created space for negotiations with the US Justice Department, leading to a settlement.
What does the agreement with the US Justice Department include?
While the deal has not been formally finalised, it allows Assange to plead guilty to one count of conspiring to obtain and disclose classified US national defence documents. He is expected to be sentenced to 62 months plus time already served.
What are the charges against Julian Assange?
In 2010, WikiLeaks published a massive collection of classified US military documents relating to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, marking one of the most significant security breaches in US military history. This release also included a large number of diplomatic cables.
The indictment against Assange was brought during the administration of former President Donald Trump, stemming from the sweeping disclosure of confidential US documents by WikiLeaks. These documents were originally leaked by Chelsea Manning, a former US military intelligence analyst, who was prosecuted under the Espionage Act.
The documents released number more than 700,000, including diplomatic cables and battlefield accounts. They include a 2007 video of a US Apache helicopter firing on suspected insurgents in Iraq, resulting in the deaths of twelve people, including two Reuters news staff. The video was made public in 2010.
Assange is to be found guilty of violating US espionage law, specifically conspiring to obtain and disseminate classified national defense information. The charges arise from WikiLeaks’ release of classified US military documents relating to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq in 2010.
What was Assange’s life like while in custody?
Assange spent 1,901 days in Belmarsh prison. While in custody, he married his wife Stella and will now be reunited with Stella and their two children. Stella Assange thanked supporters, saying, “Julian has paid a very high price for these principles and people’s right to know.”
What are Julian Assange’s next steps?
Assange will appear in a US federal court in the Northern Mariana Islands to plead guilty. After his plea and sentencing, he is expected to return to Australia.
What was the reaction to Assange’s release?
WikiLeaks has expressed great gratitude for the support it has received from a wide range of sectors, including grassroots organisers, press freedom advocates and political leaders. The Australian government, which has been advocating for Assange’s release, had no immediate comment. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese previously said, “Mr Assange’s case has dragged on for too long and there is nothing to be gained by continuing to keep him in prison.”
How has Assange’s imprisonment affected him?
Assange’s family and supporters have said the legal battles and years of imprisonment have taken a toll on his physical and mental health. WikiLeaks acknowledged, “Julian paid a heavy price for these principles and the public’s right to know,” highlighting the damage his imprisonment has done.
(with inputs from agencies)
Assange’s release marks a turning point in a lengthy legal battle that began with his detention for refusing to post bail related to Swedish sexual assault charges, which were later dropped.Assange, who was accused of revealing US military secrets, was fighting against extradition to the United States.
Here’s everything you need to know about Assange, his imprisonment and release:
What was the reason for the release of Julian Assange?
Assange was released after the UK High Court granted him bail. “Julian Assange has been released. He was released from Belmarsh maximum security prison on the morning of 24 June, after spending 1,901 days there,” WikiLeaks announced. The decision came after his successful appeal against extradition to the US.
How was Assange released from Belmarsh prison?
Assange was granted bail by the UK High Court and was released from Belmarsh prison on the morning of 24 June. He was released at Stansted Airport in the afternoon, from where he boarded a plane and left the UK.
What role did global campaigns play in Assange’s release?
WikiLeaks emphasized the impact of sustained global campaigns: “This is the result of a global campaign that involved grassroots organizers, press freedom campaigners, legislators and leaders from across the political spectrum, all the way to the United Nations.” These efforts created space for negotiations with the US Justice Department, leading to a settlement.
What does the agreement with the US Justice Department include?
While the deal has not been formally finalised, it allows Assange to plead guilty to one count of conspiring to obtain and disclose classified US national defence documents. He is expected to be sentenced to 62 months plus time already served.
What are the charges against Julian Assange?
In 2010, WikiLeaks published a massive collection of classified US military documents relating to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, marking one of the most significant security breaches in US military history. This release also included a large number of diplomatic cables.
The indictment against Assange was brought during the administration of former President Donald Trump, stemming from the sweeping disclosure of confidential US documents by WikiLeaks. These documents were originally leaked by Chelsea Manning, a former US military intelligence analyst, who was prosecuted under the Espionage Act.
The documents released number more than 700,000, including diplomatic cables and battlefield accounts. They include a 2007 video of a US Apache helicopter firing on suspected insurgents in Iraq, resulting in the deaths of twelve people, including two Reuters news staff. The video was made public in 2010.
Assange is to be found guilty of violating US espionage law, specifically conspiring to obtain and disseminate classified national defense information. The charges arise from WikiLeaks’ release of classified US military documents relating to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq in 2010.
What was Assange’s life like while in custody?
Assange spent 1,901 days in Belmarsh prison. While in custody, he married his wife Stella and will now be reunited with Stella and their two children. Stella Assange thanked supporters, saying, “Julian has paid a very high price for these principles and people’s right to know.”
What are Julian Assange’s next steps?
Assange will appear in a US federal court in the Northern Mariana Islands to plead guilty. After his plea and sentencing, he is expected to return to Australia.
What was the reaction to Assange’s release?
WikiLeaks has expressed great gratitude for the support it has received from a wide range of sectors, including grassroots organisers, press freedom advocates and political leaders. The Australian government, which has been advocating for Assange’s release, had no immediate comment. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese previously said, “Mr Assange’s case has dragged on for too long and there is nothing to be gained by continuing to keep him in prison.”
How has Assange’s imprisonment affected him?
Assange’s family and supporters have said the legal battles and years of imprisonment have taken a toll on his physical and mental health. WikiLeaks acknowledged, “Julian paid a heavy price for these principles and the public’s right to know,” highlighting the damage his imprisonment has done.
(with inputs from agencies)
