Freedom at Last: Julian Assange's Homecoming to Australia

Photo Credit: BBC

Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, has returned to Australia, marking his first steps on home soil in 12 years as a free man, following the approval of an unexpected plea deal by a US judge on Wednesday morning. 

Supporters at Canberra Airport welcomed Assange with cheers as he disembarked from the aircraft. He acknowledged the crowd with waves as he walked across the tarmac. 

Upon reaching the terminal, Assange's wife Stella greeted him with a broad smile, and he embraced her, lifting her off the floor before they shared a kiss. 

Speaking at a press conference after his arrival, Stella expressed Julian's gratitude and emphasized the need for him to recuperate from his ordeal before speaking publicly. She tearfully appealed for privacy to allow their family time to reconnect. 

Photo Credit: The straits times

Julian Assange's US lawyer, Barry Pollack, criticized the unprecedented nature of Assange's prosecution under the Espionage Act, stressing his client's contributions to free speech and press freedom. 

In a dramatic development, the 52-year-old Assange was released from a high-security prison in London and swiftly departed the UK on a private jet before news of his plea agreement with the US government became public. He appeared in a US courtroom on the Northern Mariana Islands to finalize the deal, admitting guilt to charges related to the unauthorized acquisition and dissemination of classified information. 

Assange, who harbors deep concerns about the US government and has accused it of conspiring against him, opted for proceedings to be conducted in Saipan, avoiding setting foot in the continental US. This decision was made due to logistical considerations and proximity to Australia, his intended destination post-legal proceedings. 

Kevin Rudd, Australia’s former prime minister and current Ambassador to Washington, played a role in facilitating negotiations with the US and observed the proceedings in court. 

Assange appeared composed during the hearing in Saipan, dressed in a black jacket and brown tie, alongside his legal team. His return to Australia marks a significant moment after years of legal battles and international scrutiny surrounding his journalistic activities and advocacy for transparency.