WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has been released after signing a plea deal with the US in Saipan. He is due to arrive in Australia soon to spend time with his wife and family for the first time in over a decade.

Canberra

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange walked free from a court on the U.S. Pacific island territory of Saipan after pleading guilty to violating U.S. espionage law in a deal that allowed him to head straight home to Australia.

Julian Assange freed

Julian Assange has signed a plea deal and is now a free man. Assange, who has been pursued by U.S. authorities for 14 years, arrived for his court date on a Pacific Island, accompanied by Kevin Rudd. In a court appearance, Assange admitted that he encouraged a source to provide classified information, believing initially that this activity was protected by the U.S. First Amendment, though he now accepts it was a violation of the law.

The judge accepted Assange's guilty plea and released him for time served. Assange's supporters expressed their joy, stating that he has done a remarkable service to both the Australian community and people worldwide. WikLeaks had revealed war crimes, and U.S. courts have rejected claims that the release of classified names resulted in any actual harm to individuals.

This case marks the first instance in the hundred-year history of the Espionage Act where it was used to pursue a publisher or journalist. This prosecution is considered by some to set a dangerous precedent for journalists globally. Despite his release, Assange faces significant debt, with his wife appealing for public donations to cover an $800,000 bill incurred during his flight out of London.

Assange's father expressed hope that his son can now enjoy an ordinary life with his family. Assange himself has millions of supporters and continues to deny any wrongdoing, viewing his guilty plea as a pragmatic agreement.



Julian Assange freed by U.S. court after plea deal

And there it was. How does it feel to be a free man, Mr Assange? Congratulations! After 14 years, a wave goodbye to his U.S. pursuers. After his long flight from London, Assange arrived for his Pacific Island court date, accompanied by Kevin Rudd. You prefer the weather here to London? In court, Assange admitted that as a journalist, he encouraged his source to provide information that was classified. He believed the U.S. First Amendment protected that activity, but he accepts it was a violation of the law. The judge accepted his guilty plea and released him for time served. Life and a wife are waiting. When I was speaking to him, I said, well, you know, we can walk, go for a walk and there will be no restrictions, no curfew. Among his now millions of supporters, pure joy. It is a great day to be standing here to say that Julian Assange is free. He has done a remarkable service to not just the Australian community, but to people worldwide. This outcome has been the product of careful, patient and determined work. Work I am very proud of. WikiLeaks revealed war crimes and U.S. courts have rejected claims the release of classified names resulted in any actual harm to any person. I'm pretty sure that Julian will always deny that he did anything wrong. This guilty plea, I think, is a pragmatic agreement. In the hundred years of the Espionage Act, it has never been used by the United States to pursue a publisher, a journalist like Mr. Assange. This prosecution sets a dangerous precedent that should be of concern to journalists everywhere. Julian Assange is free, but deep in debt. The plane chartered to get him out of London was part of the deal, but on his ticket. His wife has already made an appeal for public donations to cover that $800,000 bill. As his next chapter begins, his father has this hope. To live the beauty of an ordinary life before the time has all gone with the little kids. Huw Rimmington for 10 News First.

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WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange arrived in Canberra on Wednesday (June 26) after a hearing on the U.S. Pacific island territory of Saipan. He pleaded guilty to violating U.S. espionage law in a deal that allowed him to head straight home to Australia.

Assange arrives in Australia after guilty plea

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Julian Assange is free and back on home soil in Australia after a 14-year battle. It is unknown if he will return to WikiLeaks; his wife Stella Assange says it will take time for him to heal from the ordeal and come to terms with his freedom. The Prime Minister was on the phone with him as soon as he landed.

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