Julian Assange is expected to return to Australia after a 12-year legal battle after accepting a plea deal admitting to one charge of conspiracy. The case has gathered widespread political support in Australia, but there are national security concerns over the potential of future leaks.

Bangkok

Julian Assange, the 53-year-old founder of WikiLeaks, is set to return to Australia. Following seven years in the Ecuadorian embassy in London and five years in Belmarsh prison, Assange's wife Stella confirmed that he will soon gain his freedom. Assange has spent these years fighting extradition to the United States, where he believes he would face grave consequences.

Assange is known for WikiLeaks' release of hundreds of thousands of classified US documents, exposing alleged war crimes committed by the United States military in Iraq and Afghanistan. These documents included evidence of the shooting of unarmed civilians, including journalists. His lengthy legal battle and imprisonment have sparked a significant movement in Australia, drawing support from across the political spectrum.

A plea deal has been reached, where Assange admits to conspiracy to obtain and disclose US defense information and will be released for time already served. While some advocate for his release, arguing his continued incarceration serves no purpose, others, like former intelligence analyst Shane Healy, caution that Assange may commit further leaks, having shown no remorse for his previous actions. Assange's release marks a new chapter for this controversial figure.



Julian Assange set to return to Australia after plea deal

Little paunchy, a fair bit older. Julian Assange, 53, next week is coming home. Things are moving very quickly. His wife Stella confirmed the news. This important day of joy, the day of Julian's freedom. For seven years he held out at London's Ecuadorian embassy and when dragged out of that refuge, five years more at Belmarsh prison, fighting extradition to the United States where he believed he would die in jail. And what was Julian Assange's crime? His crime was calling out the war crimes of the United States military. Assange's WikiLeaks released hundreds of thousands of classified US documents about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, including evidence of the shooting of unarmed civilians, including journalists. Regardless of the views that people have about Mr Assange's activities, the case has dragged on for too long. There's nothing to be gained by his continued incarceration and we want him brought home to Australia. Throughout the years of Julian's imprisonment and persecution, an incredible movement has been formed. A movement that ultimately drew in every colour of Australian politics. This was an Australian citizen. He was not a citizen of the United States. He was not in the United States when this felony, is what they say, was created. It's a plea deal. Assange admits conspiracy to obtain and disclose US defence information and he's released for time already served. We have consistently stated that there is nothing to be served by the ongoing incarceration of Mr Julian Assange. Former intelligence analyst Shane Healy, who was put on an Al-Qaeda kill list after being named in WikiLeaks cables, says there is nothing now to stop Assange leaking more military secrets. He will re-offend if given the opportunity and the means, because he has shown no remorse for his previous crimes. What new chapters for this disruptive figure with freedom back in his hands. Huw Rimmington for 10 News First.

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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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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.