Julian Assange: Wikileaks founder lands in Australia a free man

Julian Assange has returned to his homeland of Australia, after reaching a plea agreement that resulted in his release from a prison in London.

Tears were shed at Canberra Airport as the founder of Wikileaks embraced his wife and father, while his legal team looked on with evident emotion.

"Stella Assange mentioned at a press event that Julian requires some time to recuperate and adjust to being free," shortly after he arrived.

Over the last 14 years, Assange has been fighting in court against American authorities who have charged him with releasing secret documents that they claim endangered lives.

The man, aged 52, was absent from the press event in Canberra, choosing to have his lawyer and spouse speak on his behalf instead.

"You need to comprehend the experiences he has faced," Mrs. Assange stated, explaining that they require time to "allow our family to come together as one."

The pair got married in the year 2022 at Belmarsh prison in London, and now have two kids.

The agreement allowed Julian Assange to admit to one count of conspiring to acquire and share national defense secrets, instead of the 18 charges he was initially accused of.

The story revolved around a major Wikileaks revelation in 2010 when the website published a video from a US military helicopter that depicted civilians being killed in the city of Baghdad, Iraq.

It also released numerous private documents that indicated the US military had caused the deaths of many innocent civilians in undisclosed events during the conflict in Afghanistan.

The shocking disclosures sparked widespread attention and triggered responses from around the world, prompting a close examination of America's role in international conflicts.

Assange officially faced charges in the remote Northern Mariana Islands, which is an American territory located in the Pacific Ocean. This happened just two days after he was released from Belmarsh prison.

As a result, he was sentenced to the time he had already served and then let go to return home.

His attorney, Jen Robinson, explained to the media that the agreement was an attempt to make journalism into a criminal act and establish a problematic example for future cases.

In agreement with this sentiment, Mrs. Assange expressed her wish that the media recognize the seriousness of the US legal action against Julian. This case criminalizes his actions of gathering and sharing truthful information that the public had a right to access.

His attorney also provided information about a conversation that took place over the phone between Assange and the Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese, who played a key role in ensuring his freedom.

Assange informed the prime minister that he had "rescued him", according to Ms Robinson, who also mentioned that she believed this statement to be accurate.

She said it was a significant victory for Australia to confront a friend and request the repatriation of an Australian national.

Mr. Albanese spoke to the press by himself on Wednesday, stating that he is "extremely happy" that the legal matter has been resolved. He also mentioned that the founder of Wikileaks has endured a "significant hardship".

The Prime Minister has previously expressed his disagreements with Assange's actions, but he has now decided that it is time for Assange to be released. The Prime Minister has made this case a top priority because he believes that it has gone on for too long.

When questioned about how the plea deal could impact relations between the US and Australia, he responded: "Our relationship with the United States is very strong. I consider President Biden a friend, and I see our relationship as extremely important."

The White House was not involved in Assange's extradition, according to National Security Council representative John Kirby.

Assange has been in jail at Belmarsh Prison in London for the past five years, resisting American efforts to send him back to the US for trial on charges related to the leaked documents.

In 2010, he was accused of rape and sexual assault in Sweden, charges which he denied. He sought refuge in Ecuador's London embassy for seven years, fearing extradition to the US related to the Swedish case.

The Swedish authorities closed the case in 2019 and stated that the complaint was filed too long ago for them to take any action.

Advocates for women's rights in Sweden are disappointed that he was never subjected to formal interrogation regarding the rape accusations.

Clara Berglund, who leads the Swedish Women's Lobby, described the situation as a shameful and treacherous episode that ultimately led to his freedom.

This focuses on a situation that occurs in important political settings, where violence by men against women is not taken seriously enough.