Julian Assange appears for the first time with family
After his surprising release from the London prison, Julian Assange is back in Australia, living with his wife Stella and their two children. The family has shared their first photo together on social media, giving a glimpse into their private life.
Just about a month after Julian Assange's unexpected release and return from London, his wife Stella posted the family's first photo on social media. The picture shows the couple and their two children laughing and relaxed at a beach. Assange is wearing a typical Australian hat and holding his wife. "Family photo!", Stella Assange wrote.
The WikiLeaks founder was released from prison at the end of June after 14 years of legal battles over espionage charges. A US court on the Marianas Island of Saipan - a US territory in the Pacific - had previously approved a deal between Assange and the US justice system regarding the espionage allegations.
Please respect our privacy
Assange had never met his wife in freedom before his arrival in Canberra. The relationship between the two began during his time in the Ecuadorian embassy, where he had been holed up for seven years. He was arrested there in 2019, and the US requested his extradition. The couple married in Belmarsh Prison in London in 2022.
Stella Assange expressed concern for her husband's health condition after his release from long-term imprisonment in a small cell. She asked for the family's privacy and respect. "He had to endure these ordeals both mentally and physically", emphasized the 40-year-old lawyer. Assange had been confined to a space no larger than four walls for years. "This has obviously had serious consequences for his health", she added. Julian Assange himself has not yet publicly commented.
Since 2010, WikiLeaks had released confidential material from US military bases in Iraq and Afghanistan, provided by the whistleblower Chelsea Manning. The US accuses Assange of putting US informants' lives in danger.
Following his release, Stella Assange shared a beach photo on Instagram, showcasing their family's joyful reunion. Despite their public appearance, Stella requested privacy and respect for their family's well-being, highlighting Julian's physical and mental struggles after his prolonged imprisonment. Amidst this, the WikiLeaks founder, known for publishing confidential US military documents through Wikileaks, remains silent.
