weather_iconDublin | 12.8 °C | AQI 21
Tuesday, 5 November, 2024

---Advertisement---

World

Julian Assange Freed From UK Prison After Striking Plea Deal With US

Julian Assange, founder of WikiLeaks, has agreed to plead guilty in a US court to disclosing military secrets in exchange for his release, ending his lengthy legal battle.

Julian Assange
Julian Assange

Julian Assange has reportedly agreed to plead guilty in a US court to disclosing military secrets in exchange for his release, marking the end of his lengthy legal battle. Assange, previously held in Britain, intends to plead guilty to a charge of conspiring to acquire and distribute national defense information, as per court filings in the Northern Mariana Islands, a US territory in the Pacific. WikiLeaks announced early Tuesday that Assange is now free and has departed the country, with plans to appear in court on Wednesday local time.

Julian Assange, founder of WikiLeaks, has agreed to plead guilty in a US court to disclosing military secrets in exchange for his release, ending his extensive legal battle. He will plead guilty to a single charge of conspiracy to obtain and distribute national defense information, according to court documents filed in the Northern Mariana Islands, a US territory in the Pacific.

---Advertisement---

WikiLeaks confirmed early Tuesday morning British time that Assange is now free and has left the country. He is set to appear in court on Wednesday morning local time in the US territory. Assange is expected to receive a 62-month prison sentence, with credit for the five years he has already served in British custody, potentially allowing him to return to Australia.

Also Read: Massive Fire at Lithium Battery Factory Claims 20 Foreign Lives, Death Toll May Rise

The 52-year-old publisher became a polarizing figure, revered by free speech advocates worldwide and criticized by those who believed his actions jeopardized US national security and intelligence sources by exposing secrets, including classified information on US military activities in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Assange faced an indictment in 2019 on 18 counts related to WikiLeaks’ publication of national security documents. The plea deal comes ahead of his scheduled court appearance in Britain to appeal against extradition to the United States, where he has been wanted under the Espionage Act, potentially facing a lengthy prison term.

The decision to accept this plea deal arrives amid mounting pressure on President Joe Biden to resolve the prolonged legal proceedings against Assange.

In February, the Australian government formally requested that Julian Assange be allowed to return home, and President Biden indicated that he would review the request. This sparked optimism among Assange’s supporters that his long ordeal might finally come to an end.

Also Read: Priest Beheaded, Over Dozen Cops Killed In Deadly Strike On Russian Synagogues, Churches

HISTORY

Written By

Aniket Raj


Get Breaking News First and Latest Updates from India and around the world on News24. Follow News24 on Facebook, Twitter.

Related Story

Live News

---Advertisement---


live

US Election Results 2024 Live Updates: Elon Musk Reacts To Post Claiming ChatGPT Is Biased Against Trump

Nov 05, 2024
US Election Results 2024
  • 12:11 (IST) 5 Nov 2024

    US Election Live: Arizona Senate Candidate Kari Lake Says, 'A Chance To Change Trajectory'

  • 11:32 (IST) 5 Nov 2024

    US Election Live: Donald Trump Vows To Lead United States To 'New Heights Of Glory'

  • 11:09 (IST) 5 Nov 2024

    US Election Live: Kamala Harris Calls On Pennsylvania Voters, Says, 'Race Ain't Over Yet'

N24 Shorts Logo

SHORTS

Muhurat Trading
Business

Muhurat Trading: How Sensex And Nifty Performed In Last 5 Diwali Special Sessions?

India’s stock exchanges, BSE and NSE, host an annual Muhurat Trading session on the day of Diwali. The term ‘muhurat’ denotes an auspicious moment, and this unique session, spanning about an hour in the evening, marks the commencement of the traditional Hindu accounting year, Samvat.

View All Shorts

---Advertisement---

Trending