Abstract
Here are the key developments Julian Assange Hearing today:
-
A court in Saipan has postponed a hearing where WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange pleaded guilty to a felony charge of publishing US military secrets. He was sentenced by the judge Ramona V. Mangalona. Served on time. He has left the court a free man, and is on his way to his native Australia.
-
“It appears that your 62 months … was fair and reasonable and proportionate,” the judge said. [Chelsea] Manning's actual prison time. WikiLeaks published classified documents obtained by Manning.
-
The plea was part of a plea deal with the US Department of Justice that was expected to lead to his release. It ends a nearly 14-year long pursuit of the publisher by the US.
-
The petition was filed Wednesday morning in federal court in Saipan, the capital of the Northern Mariana Islands, a commonwealth of the United States in the Pacific Ocean. Assange, who flew to Saipan from London via Bangkok, arrived at the court shortly before the hearing began, wearing a dark suit with a loose tie at the collar. He did not want to face the hearing on American soil, with its proximity to Australia, so Saipan was chosen for the hearing.
-
After the sentencing, the US Department of Justice issued a lengthy statement saying Assange would not be allowed to return to the United States. “After serving his sentence, he will depart to the United States for his native Australia. Assange is prohibited from returning to the United States without authorization, according to the plea agreement,” it said.
-
Julian's wife, Stella Assange, told Reuters on Tuesday that she would apologize if he was found guilty. If granted, he may be allowed to return to the US in the future.
-
Assange left the court straight to the airport in Saipan. where they are expected to board a flight to Canberra, Australia.
-
Assange was accompanied in court by Kevin Rudd, Australia's ambassador to the US, and Stephen Smith, Australia's high commissioner to the UK. He was greeted by foreign and local media, but despite the questions hurled at him, he did not shy away from speaking to the assembled press.
-
Jennifer Robinson, an Australian human rights lawyer and member of Assange's legal team, spoke to the media after the sentencing. He said: “I hope that the fact that we have succeeded in freeing Julian Assange today against all odds and against one of the most powerful governments in the world, will give hope to all journalists and publishers around the world. are imprisoned throughout.”
-
Assange's lawyer, Barry Pollock, told the media, “The 100-year anniversary of the Espionage Act against Julian Assange is unprecedented. It has never been used by America to go after a publisher, journalist like Mr. Assange. Mr. Assange disclosed true, newsworthy information, including revelations that the United States had committed war crimes. They have suffered tremendous losses in their fight for freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and to ensure that the American people and the international community have access to truthful and important newsworthy information.”
Important events
In case you missed it, here's a video of the Australian Prime Minister, Anthony AlbanyAddressing Parliament about Julian Assange Just before:
The opposition says Assange is 'no hero'.
Australia's Opposition Spokesperson for Home Affairs, James PetersonSays the founder of WikiLeaks. Julian Assange One should not worship after today's results. He told Sky News:
Julian Assange is no hero, but it's good that he's finally finished.
The reason it lasted so long is because he was evading legal extradition requests. It is to the credit of the United States that it is being lenient with someone accused of such a heinous crime.
This follows similar comments from his opposing colleague. Jane Humewho said Assange was “no hero” to him but welcomed his return:
We are very happy to see him back in Australia, but I don't think hero worship is the appropriate response.
–.With AAP
WikiLeaks has shared an image that appears to be Julian Assange Hugging his lawyer, Jennifer RobinsonWith Australia's Ambassador to the US and former Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, in the background.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albany The American ambassador says Kevin Ruddand the British High Commissioner, Stephen Smithtraveling to Australia with Assange.
The pair were with him in court today to offer support.
Albany told the Australian Parliament:
I thank them for their work and the others at the relevant embassy and High Commission who helped us reach this conclusion. This work is complex and considered…
I'm very pleased that, on this occasion, it's been a successful outcome that I'm sure Australians very much want to see – as I said, they have different views on Mr Assange's engagements and activities. would have – but he will be happy that the story has been put to rest and that he will be reunited with his family.
Anthony Albany addresses Parliament on the Assange case.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albany Addressing the Parliament after the results of this time. Julian Assange Case. they say:
Regardless of your views on his activities – and they will vary – Mr Assange's case has been going on for far too long. I have repeatedly said that nothing has been achieved by his continued imprisonment. I am glad he is going to Australia to be reunited with his family.
In the two years since we took office, my government has engaged and advocated, including at the leadership level, to address this. We have used all appropriate channels. [and] This result is the result of careful, patient and determined work.
The Australian government continues to provide consular assistance to Mr Assange upon his return home.
WikiLeaks will hold a press conference in Canberra tonight.
WikiLeaks says he will hold a press conference later tonight in Canberra, Australia.
In a post to X, he said the press conference would take place at 9.15pm local time in Kingston, ACT. (That's about seven hours from now).
WikiLeaks did not specify who would hold the press conference, but Julian Assange Currently en route to Canberra and due to arrive later tonight.
Media Alert: WikiLeaks Press Conference 21.15 Australian Eastern Time (GMT+10) East Hotel, Canberra Avenue, Kingston Act, Australia #FreedomFlight
— Wikileaks (@wikileaks) June 26, 2024
The US ambassador to Australia issued a statement following Assange's findings.
US Ambassador to Australia Caroline Kennedyissued this statement following the outcome of the Assange case:
Julian Assange's return to Australia brings a long and difficult case to a close. The United States is grateful to the Australian government for its commitment and support throughout this process.
Australian Independent MP Andrew Wilkie He also said today's findings set a “dangerous precedent” – “accusing and punishing a journalist for doing his job”.
“This is the kind of thing we would expect in an authoritarian or totalitarian country,” he told reporters. [not] From a country like the United States or Australia.
I think it sends a chill down the spine of journalists around the world that this precedent has been set, and it means that more needs to be done to advance media freedom and journalistic protections so that They can do their work.
The Australian co-chair of the Parliamentary Support Group for Assange welcomed the results.
Previously Australian Independent MP Andrew Wilkie spoke to the media about his years of advocacy for Julian Assange.
Wilkie is co-chairman of the Australian Parliamentary Group in Support of Assange, and has traveled to London twice to support him.
He successfully tabled a motion in the Australian parliament in February – with 86 votes in favor and 42 against – urging the US and UK to allow Assange to return home.
Here's what Wilkie had to say:
Over the years, a series of Australian governments have been either disinterested or outright hostile to Julian Assange. It is heartening that this government was finally the government that listened to the community and accepted the challenge and worked very hard, quietly, behind the scenes with foreign governments for today.
I would also like to acknowledge the millions of people around the world who have rallied for Julián over the years – from the years he was in Belmarsh prison and the seven years before that in the Ecuadorian embassy. Today he has as much of a day as any other politician in this country. I acknowledge them.
If you're just joining us, here's Assange's US attorney Barry Pollock After today's hearing, he had to say outside the court in Saipan:
Pollock said Assange “cannot and should not be silenced” and that his prosecution “has a chilling effect”.
Peter Greste: Assange will face 'very, very difficult transition' back to life after prison
Australian journalist and former Al Jazeera correspondent Peter Greistwho spent 13 months in an Egyptian prison, predicted. Julian Assange There will be a “very difficult transition” back to normal life.
Gresty previously spoke with ABC News, and reflected on his time in prison:
I think [Assange is] Going to feel really upset. There is a combination of happiness and joy. A certain degree of disconnection. I only spent 400 days in prison, Julian spent about 13 years. His experience has been far worse than anything I've ever been through.
But I also know how strange it was to go through imprisonment, which is designed to screw you up, basically a form of psychological torture, and so you can't go through that experience. – especially with the uncertainty that Julian has experienced this whole ordeal – and then come out the other side and go straight back to normal life as if nothing had happened. It's going to be a very, very difficult transition for him.
Australian independent politicians have welcomed the outcome of the Assange case.
Some Australian independent politicians have reacted to the findings. Julian Assange Case, welcomed him home when he was on his way to Canberra, the nation's capital.
Member of Goldstein, Zoe Daniel, X wrote that Assange was “free at last!” was
Julian Assange's 14-year ordeal to reveal the truth is finally over. Welcome home Julian.
Meanwhile, members of the Indian Helen Haynes, wrote:
Like many who have written to me in support of Julian, I have long called for his imprisonment to be ended and his return to Australia.
Julian's family has been steadfast in his advocacy. This day is as much for them as it is for Julian.
Wentworth MP, Allegra Spender, It also weighed in, saying “whatever your view, this case went on too long”.
I welcome the release of Julian Assange … Journalism and publishing should not be criminalised. Julian Assange has spent a lot of time in prison. His crime was publishing true information in the public interest.