WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange reached a deal with the Biden administration on Monday to plead guilty to felony charges for his alleged role in leaking classified U.S. materials, according to multiple reports.
The 52-year-old defendant reportedly agreed to one count of violating the US Espionage Act for “conspiracy to obtain and disclose classified United States defense documents,” according to court documents in the United States District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands reported by Reuters. reportAssange was seen leaving Britain's Belmarsh maximum security prison, where he has been held for almost five years while awaiting extradition to the United States. (Related article: President Trump says he will hold Fauci accountable, and says he would consider pardoning Julian Assange if re-elected)
“Julian Assange is now free,” WikiLeaks posted on Twitter. “On the morning of June 24th he left Belmarsh maximum security prison, where he had spent 1,901 days. He was granted bail at the High Court in London and released in the afternoon at Stansted Airport, from where he boarded a flight to depart the UK.”
“This is the result of a global campaign involving grassroots activists, press freedom campaigners, lawmakers, leaders from all political stripes, and even the United Nations,” the post continues. “This has allowed for lengthy negotiations with the US Department of Justice, culminating in an agreement that has yet to be formally signed. We will share more details as soon as possible.”
Julian Assange is free
Julian Assange is now free. He left Belmarsh maximum security prison, where he had spent 1,901 days, on the morning of June 24th. He was granted bail at the High Court in London and released in the afternoon at Stansted Airport, where he boarded a flight.
— WikiLeaks (@wikileaks) June 24, 2024
Video footage posted online shows the WikiLeaks founder boarding a jet in Britain to fly back to his native Australia.
BREAKING: WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has been released from prison and boarded a jet at London's Stansted Airport.
Assange spent 1,901 days in Belmarsh maximum security prison.
Assange left the UK shortly after being released from prison.
“He was given… pic.twitter.com/MNw0809dbg
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) June 25, 2024
Assange had been pursued by the US government for obtaining and publishing thousands of classified military records provided by former Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning, which the US said could compromise sensitive intelligence sources in the Middle East. according to The FBI and Department of Justice are opposed to any deal with the WikiLeaks founder that doesn't include felony charges, but Biden recently mentioned a deal being encouraged by the Australian government, the outlet reported.
Last month, while Assange was still waiting in Belmarsh prison, a British court ruled that he had the right to appeal against his extradition to the United States.
CNN reported that the agreement must be approved by a federal court before the deal can go ahead.
