Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands – Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, recently walked free for the first time in 12 years following an unexpected plea deal approved by a US judge. This significant development allowed Assange to depart Saipan for Canberra, Australia, after his release. Speaking on behalf of Assange, his US lawyer emphasized the challenges faced by Assange in his pursuit of free speech and press freedom in what he described as an unprecedented prosecution under the Espionage Act.

Assange’s journey to freedom began when he was released from a high-security prison in London, where he had been detained, and boarded a private jet bound for Saipan. In a US courtroom located in the Northern Mariana Islands, Assange officially pleaded guilty to conspiring to unlawfully obtain and disseminate classified information, related to his involvement in one of the largest breaches of classified material in US military history.

During the court proceedings, Assange expressed his guilt and acceptance of the charges against him. The remote Pacific island chain of Saipan, a US territory situated west of Hawaii, hosted the legal events as part of an agreement to avoid Assange setting foot in the continental US. Australian officials, including Ambassador Kevin Rudd, were present during the proceedings, signalling international interest in the case.

The judge overseeing the plea deal emphasized the importance of the timing of the agreement, noting that such a resolution may not have been possible a decade ago. While the US Department of Justice issued statements regarding Assange’s restrictions from returning to the US without permission, his wife expressed elation at his release from incarceration. Furthermore, Assange’s half-brother highlighted the significance of his brother’s work through WikiLeaks, describing it as having a historical impact on the world.

As Assange prepares to return to Australia, efforts are underway to cover expenses incurred during his journey home, including a charter flight cost of $520,000. An appeal has been launched to gather financial support for Assange’s recovery and ongoing legal battles. The legacy of WikiLeaks and Assange’s groundbreaking work in revealing impactful information globally continues to be a subject of interest and discussion.