WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is free after reaching an agreement with the US judiciary

After five years of being detained in one of Britain’s highest-security prisons, today, June 25, 2024, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was released and left the UK, following an agreement reached. with the US judiciary.

Posted date:June 25, 2024 – 13:45

1 minute

File photo: Wikileaks founder Julian Assange at the High Court, London, UK on February 1, 2012. AP – Kirsty Wigglesworth

From Washington, correspondent Guillaume Naudin explains further:

«  For many weeks, US President Joe Biden has left open the possibility of considering dropping the charges against Julian Assange, especially at the request of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

Until now, according to the charges he is being prosecuted by the US court, the founder of WikiLeaks is at risk of being sentenced to up to 175 years in prison for collecting and distributing information about US military activities in the US. Iraq.



Instead, under a deal reached with the US justice system, Julian Assange will plead guilty to a single charge and be sentenced to 62 months in prison, the exact amount of time he has spent in Belmarsh in south-west London, one of the UK’s most secure prisons.

Over the past five years, Julian Assange and his relatives have made every effort to avoid his extradition to the United States, at least on the American mainland. Because of this, the upcoming trial to confirm the agreement will take place in the furthest US territory, the Marianne Islands in the Pacific Ocean.

A judge in Saipan will have to legalize the agreement Wednesday morning local time. Afterwards, Julian Assange will return to Australia, his homeland, so he can enjoy his newfound freedom . »