Watching this play out over the last decade has been an emotional rollercoaster. Here's what we know so far :
JULIAN ASSANGE IS FREE
Julian Assange is free. He left Belmarsh maximum security prison on the morning of 24 June, after having spent 1901 days there. He was granted bail by the High Court in London and was released at Stansted airport during the afternoon, where he boarded a plane and departed the UK.
This is the result of a global campaign that spanned grass-roots organisers, press freedom campaigners, legislators and leaders from across the political spectrum, all the way to the United Nations. This created the space for a long period of negotiations with the US Department of Justice, leading to a deal that has not yet been formally finalised. We will provide more information as soon as possible.
After more than five years in a 2x3 metre cell, isolated 23 hours a day, he will soon reunite with his wife Stella Assange, and their children, who have only known their father from behind bars.
WikiLeaks published groundbreaking stories of government corruption and human rights abuses, holding the powerful accountable for their actions. As editor-in-chief, Julian paid severely for these principles, and for the people's right to know.
As he returns to Australia, we thank all who stood by us, fought for us, and remained utterly committed in the fight for his freedom.
Julian's freedom is our freedom.
https://x.com/wikileaks/status/1805390138945528183
https://x.com/wikileaks/status/1805391265489731716
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-06-25/julian-assange-released-from-prison/104017664
https://x.com/CordeliaSkyNews/status/1805479635481956799
https://x.com/Stella_Assange/status/1805573781303308326
https://x.com/wikileaks/status/1805550709846237548
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-06-26/julian-assange-saipan-court-appearance/104022050
https://www.youtube.com/live/zwutQ2orqAs
https://x.com/FreeAssangeNews/status/1805905965788594201
Being forced to plead guilty to a crime he did not commit is frustrating, but I don't blame Julian for just wanting this to end. I hope he finally gets to relax with his partner and children, in fresh air, in his home country.
I'm sure his story isn't over yet.
This has been a huge but bittersweet win for press freedom.
Now we go after all the war criminals he exposed, right ? 😅