WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange landed on a remote island in the Pacific yesterday, where his long-running campaign to avoid extradition to the United States will formally end and he will finally be a free man. The 52-year-old will appear before a judge in the US territory of the Northern Mariana Islands to plead guilty to one charge, after the US dropped 17 other espionage charges against him.
Having already served 62 months in jail, he will then fly to his native Australia to be reunited with his wife, two young sons and other members of the family. It follows his dramatic release from Belmarsh Prison in London – where he has spent five years, largely in solitary confinement, fighting extradition – and a deal with US prosecutors.
Assange’s wife, Stella, said she had travelled to Australia with the couple’s two young sons, Gabriel and Max, on Sunday when it became clear that Assange would be freed. “It is hard to believe that Julian has been in prison for so long,” she said.
“It had become normalised. I am grateful to the people who made this possible, but I am also angry that it ever came to this. Overall I am elated, but I cannot believe it is actually happening until I see Julian.”
She said her husband’s release would not have happened without the intervention of Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese, who has been increasingly vocal in demands for the United States to drop charges against Assange. “The public climate has shifted, and everyone understands that Julian has been the victim,” said Ms Assange.
Assange will plead guilty to a charge under the Espionage Act of obtaining and disclosing information of national importance.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Ruthless Medvedev knocks out ailing top seed Sinner
Rule out Daniil Medvedev at your peril.
Van Dijk can prove legends wrong by getting into final
Of all the players around Europe to chastise, to suggest hasn’t had a positive impact on teammates and to berate for not playing well enough, Virgil van Dijk will feel like a baffling choice to regular viewers of the Premier League.
Southgate: This is England's chance to make history
Three Lions have full squad available for Netherlands match
Yamal's wonder goal leads favourites Spain into final
If this is to be Spain’s first men’s trophy since the glory era of 2008-12, there couldn’t be a better signal of a new era than the youngest player in the history of the European Championships scoring the goal to set them on their way to the final.
Thames Water may go bust, what does this mean for us?
Pity the poor Thames Water consumer (for the record, I am one). We found out yesterday that the water company only has enough cash to last until next May – thanks to a debt pile of more than £15bn.
Dyson to slash 1,000 jobs
Dyson is axeing up to 1,000 jobs in the UK as part of a costcutting drive. The move by the vacuum cleaner maker, which relocated its headquarters to Singapore in 2019, will see its British-based workforce reduced by more than a quarter.
Senior Democrat publicly urges Biden to step aside
Adam Smith is sixth House representative to call for change
Indian recruits in Russian army can quit, says Putin
Citizens were reportedly misled’ into serving in Ukraine
'A room covered in blood'
A mother and daughter caught up in the Russian missile strike on a Kyiv children’s hospital speak to Tom Watling
Sugar consumption down one year after tax applied
The sugar tax imposed on soft drinks in Britain led to a significant drop in sugar in people’s diets, according to a longterm study.
