Julian Assange Set To Return Home After Striking US Plea Deal

Julian Assange, the Australian founder of WikiLeaks, is on his way home to Australia after years of legal battles and imprisonment. Assange boarded a charter flight at London’s Stansted Airport bound for Saipan, a small island in the western Pacific Ocean, where he is expected to sign off on a plea deal with the United States.

Release from Belmarsh Prison

Assange was released from Belmarsh maximum security prison on June 24, after spending 1901 days in custody. A statement from WikiLeaks confirmed that he left Belmarsh on the morning of June 24 and boarded a plane at Stansted airport in the afternoon. The flight marks the end of a significant chapter for Assange, who has been isolated in a 2x3 meter cell for 23 hours a day over the past five years. He is set to reunite with his wife, Stella Assange, and their children who have only known him from behind bars.

The Journey to Saipan

The reason for Assange's flight to Saipan, a US territory, is to facilitate the legal process of his plea deal. This decision was made to accommodate Assange's opposition to traveling to the continental United States. Saipan, being closer to Australia, provides a more convenient location for the proceedings. Saipan, the largest island in the Northern Mariana Islands, is better known for its white sand beaches and tourist attractions, but it will now host a major US espionage court case.

The Plea Deal

The plea deal comes after prolonged negotiations involving US and Australian officials. Assange is set to plead guilty to conspiring to obtain and publish classified US national defense documents in 2010, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 793(g). The United States will seek a 62-month sentence, which will be credited with the time Assange has already served in London. This arrangement allows Assange to return immediately to Australia after the court proceedings.

The Impact of the Campaign for Assange’s Freedom

WikiLeaks has credited a global campaign for Assange’s release, involving grassroots organizers, press freedom advocates, legislators, and leaders from across the political spectrum. This collective effort, which also saw support from the United Nations, created the necessary conditions for negotiations with the US Department of Justice.

Statements from Leaders

US President Joe Biden has acknowledged the possibility of a plea deal in recent months, a sentiment echoed by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who has argued that the case has dragged on for too long. The Australian government has been providing consular assistance to Assange throughout the process. In a brief statement, the Australian government confirmed its ongoing support and reiterated that it would not comment further due to the ongoing legal proceedings.

Assange’s Court Hearing in Saipan

Assange's court hearing is scheduled for Wednesday at 9am local time (9am AEST) in Saipan. He will appear before Chief Judge Ramona Villagomez Manglona for a change of plea hearing. The court will not be live streaming the proceedings, but a live video feed will be available in the Jury Assembly Room at the courthouse.

Conclusion

After over a decade of legal struggles and nearly five and a half years in a high-security prison, Julian Assange’s legal saga appears to be nearing its end. As he prepares to plead guilty in Saipan and return to his family in Australia, Assange’s case continues to be a significant chapter in the discourse on press freedom and governmental transparency. The outcome of this plea deal and his subsequent return to Australia will be closely watched by supporters and critics alike.

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