U.S. Judge Declares Assange a "Free Individual"; Sets Course for His Native Country
Julian Assange was slapped with a 5-year, 2-month prison sentence, which he already served in the UK. Judge Ramona V. Manglona apparently hoped this would provide him some "relief" post-imprisonment.
Assange remained silent towards the media as he exited the court in Saipan, part of the US Northern Mariana Islands. Word had it, he aimed to jet off to Canberra, Australia, following the proceeding, according to Wikileaks' updates. A private jet carrying Assange reportedly took flight from the Northern Marianas, per AFP journalists' observations.
Assange's attorney, Jen Robinson, proclaimed it a "significant day." It marked the conclusion of a 14-year legal saga, she explained.
Assange was freed from British prisons on Monday, having been incarcerated since 2019. According to court records, Assange had struck a deal with the U.S. justice system prior to his release.
Assange faces accusations of leaking around 700,000 classified documents detailing U.S. military and diplomatic activities between 2010 and 2013. These docs contained sensitive data on conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, like the civilian casualties and prisoner mistreatment by U.S. troops.
For his supporters, Assange is a champion for free speech. Critics, however, view him as a lawbreaker endangering U.S. security and confidential sources.
Assange languished in detention for a dozen years. For 7 of those years, he sought shelter in the Ecuadorian embassy in London, and spent the remaining 5 years at the high-security Belmarsh Prison in the UK.
The deal was struck two weeks ahead of a significant British court hearing slated for July 9. The hearing focused on Assange's extradition to the U.S. Following a ruling, the British government agreed to extradite Assange in June 2022, but he contested it. He faced up to 175 years behind bars.
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- The news of Assange's potential departure to Canberra sparked discussions in Australian politics, with the Australian Federal Police (AFP) expressing interest in questioning him upon his arrival.
- The US justice system, however, opposes this, citing ongoing investigations and potential charges against Assange for his involvement with Wikileaks.
- Great Britain, which has played a significant role in Assange's case, has not issued an extradition warrant, allowing Assange to travel freely within their jurisdiction.
- The US judge who imposed the original sentence on Assange in the Pacific island of Saipan, located in the US territories of the Northern Mariana Islands, has expressed concern over the potential consequences of Assange's actions.
- Assange's home country, Australia, has maintained a neutral stance on the case, emphasizing its commitment to freedom of speech and the rule of law.
- In a statement, Julian Assange's legal team in Australia has expressed support for their client, urging for a fair and transparent investigation regardless of his location.
- The admission of guilt by Wikileaks and Assange has been a contentious issue, with some arguing that their actions were justified in the name of transparency, while others view their actions as a violation of national security.
- The Mariana Islands, where Assange's trial took place, has a unique legal system that blends elements of American and Pacific Islander traditions, making it a complex legal landscape for international cases.
- The US judge's decision to declare Assange a "free individual" has sparked debate, with some hailing it as a victory for free speech, while others see it as a attempt to evade justice.
- Assange's case has also attracted attention from other nations, with Great Britain and Australia monitoring the situation closely, and other countries expressing their views on the matter.
