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Julian Assange’s Guilty Plea Deal and Journey Home to Australia
Explore the latest updates on Julian Assange’s guilty plea deal and potential journey back to Australia. Follow his legal saga and the implications of his possible return home.
Julian Assange’s Guilty Plea Deal
Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to a felony charge of violating the U.S. Espionage Act. The final act of his plea deal unfolded in a remote U.S. courtroom in Saipan, in the Western Pacific. Assange was accompanied by his lawyer, Jennifer Robinson, and Kevin Rudd, the Australian ambassador to the United States.
Assange’s Journey Home to Australia
Assange’s journey from London to Saipan included stops in Bangkok and was documented by his family and lawyers. They shared photos and videos online, showing his travel on a chartered jet. His defense team explained that he was not allowed to fly commercial, and his wife, Stella, initiated a fund-raising appeal seeking support to cover the costs.
Despite Australia’s strict espionage laws, Assange received support from politicians, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who advocated for his release. The Australian public seemed eager to welcome Assange back home, noting that Chelsea Manning, who provided documents to WikiLeaks, had already served her sentence and been released.