WikiLeaks' Assange, Freed, Returns to Homeland Australia

Agreement on Sentence with U.S. Department of Justice... Immediate Release After Sentencing

Julian Assange. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks who was indicted for violating the U.S. Espionage Act by leaking government secrets, has been released and returned to his home country, Australia.

According to major foreign media including Australia's AAP and the U.S. AFP on the 26th (local time), Assange arrived at Canberra Airport in Australia at around 7:30 PM. He then moved to his accommodation with his wife Stella Assange and other family members who came to greet him.

Upon his arrival in Australia, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed gratitude to the United States and the United Kingdom for helping secure Assange's release.

Earlier that day, Assange appeared at the U.S. District Court in Saipan and pleaded guilty during the trial. Chief Judge Ramona Manglona sentenced him to five years in prison but recognized the time he had already served in a UK prison, leading to his immediate release that day.

This was because Assange had agreed with the U.S. Department of Justice to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to obtain and disclose national defense information, and in exchange, the time he served in the UK was credited, allowing him to be released without further judicial proceedings.

During the approximately three-hour hearing, Assange admitted guilt but argued that he believed his actions were protected under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which safeguards freedom of expression. He stated, "As a journalist, I encouraged my sources to provide classified information for reporting," adding, "At the time, I believed the First Amendment protected these actions, but now I accept that they constitute violations of the Espionage Act."

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, from the time Assange left Saipan, he must obtain permission from the U.S. government to enter the United States. The DOJ stated, "Under the sentencing agreement, Assange is prohibited from returning to the U.S. without authorization."