Julian Assange departs UK after plea deal with US, WikiLeaks confirms
- Julian Assange leaves the UK after reaching a plea deal with the US.
- WikiLeaks confirms Assange's departure from Belmarsh prison after 1901 days.
- Assange boards plane out of the UK after resolving spy charges with the US.
In a significant turn of events, WikiLeaks has announced that Julian Assange has been released from prison and has left the UK after striking a deal with US authorities. The news came after reports surfaced that Assange was set to plead guilty to violating US espionage law, potentially allowing him to return to his native Australia. The announcement was made via a statement posted on social media, revealing that Assange left Belmarsh maximum security prison after spending 1901 days there and boarded a flight at Stansted airport. Assange's departure marks the end of a long and tumultuous chapter in his life, which began when he sought refuge in the Ecuadorian embassy in London in 2012 to avoid extradition over espionage and sex crime allegations. Following his eviction from the embassy in 2019, he was detained in Belmarsh while the US sought his extradition. The plea deal reportedly involves Assange admitting guilt to conspiracy charges related to obtaining and disclosing national defense information, with prosecutors seeking a 62-month sentence, equivalent to his time served in prison. The news of Assange's release has sparked mixed reactions, with some viewing him as a hero fighting for truth as a journalist, while others criticize his actions as endangering national security and lives. Australian government officials have expressed a desire for his prolonged legal saga to come to an end, emphasizing the need to move forward from the prolonged case. Meanwhile, US authorities have continued to pursue indictments against Assange over the WikiLeaks data breaches, highlighting the ongoing legal challenges he faces despite his release. As Assange embarks on a new chapter outside the confines of prison, the details of the plea deal and its implications remain to be fully disclosed. The global campaign for his freedom, involving grassroots organizers, press freedom advocates, and political leaders, has culminated in this development, signaling a potential shift in his legal status and future prospects. The impact of Assange's actions, the nature of the plea deal, and the reactions from various stakeholders will continue to shape the narrative surrounding his case in the days to come.