Europe, UK (Commonwealth Union) – After years of being stuck in asylum in Ecuadorian embassy followed by his arrest when the Ecuadorian government of permitted British police to enter the embassy and take him to custody where he was then held in Belmarsh prison, Julian Assange is finally free.
His wife Stella Assange, in the meantime, expressed her gratitude to the campaigners, penning a message on the social media platform X, which stated “Julian is free.”
“Words cannot express our immense gratitude to YOU- yes YOU, who have all mobilised for years and years to make this come true. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.”
She further encouraged everyone in the X message to follow the story on the Wiki Leaks X page.
Assange is said to have reached a plea agreement with the US government. He is set to be present at a court in Saipan, a U.S. Pacific territory, this Wednesday, where he will be sentenced to 62 months of time already served.
Assange’s legal troubles began in 2010 when he was accused of sexual assault in Sweden. However, many believe these charges were politically motivated due to his involvement with WikiLeaks. In an effort to avoid extradition to Sweden, Assange sought asylum in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London, where he remained for nearly seven years.
During this time, WikiLeaks continued to release sensitive information, including documents pertaining to the Iraq and Afghan wars, as well as diplomatic cables. This brought him further into the crosshairs of the United States, which sought to prosecute him for espionage.
In 2019, the new Ecuadorian government revoked Assange’s asylum, leading to his arrest by British authorities. He has been held in a maximum-security prison ever since, fighting extradition to the United States.
While Assange’s freedom is celebrated, his release marks a significant development in a case that has captured global attention. It raises important questions about the threats to freedom of speech, the power of journalism in the digital age, and the role of whistleblowers in society.
Throughout the years supported of Assange came from many different backgrounds often on opposing political spectrums. His wife along with other members of his family and supporters were often left with little hope of his release with many reports of him being of fading health and seeing him out free seemed an impassivity at times.
