Julian Assange pleads guilty to espionage ahead of return to Australia

·

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange will fly to Canberra within hours and is due to arrive this evening following a plea deal to set him free.

According to The Daily Telegraph, Assange, 52, pleaded guilty at the US court in Saipan to a single count of conspiracy to obtain and disseminate US national defence information.

In court, Judge Ramona Manglona read out the charge against Assange, of conspiring to obtain and disclose classified US documents.

When asked if he would plead guilty or not guilty, the WikiLeaks founder leaned towards his microphone and replied: “Guilty to the information.”

Julian Assange walks through the US Federal Courthouse in Saipan ahead of his hearing. Picture: AFP
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange arrives at the US Federal Courthouse with Kevin Rudd. Picture: Getty Images

The court heard that Assange must tell WikiLeaks to destroy the information and give an affidavit indicating he has done so, and the US attorneys are convinced that this has been done.

Assange faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $250,000 as the offence is a class C felony.

He told the judge that he reviewed the plea deal “at great length” before signing it on June 24 at London’s Stansted airport. The court is anticipated to sentence him to the 62 months he has already served at London’s Belmarsh Prison.

The hacker has spent the past five years behind bars. In 2019 he was sentenced to 50 weeks in prison for refusing to surrender from the London Ecuadorean embassy.

Stella, Assange’s wife, released a video on X of her husband coming at court, as well as a moving remark about her worry about his well-being.

Assange’s father, John Shipton hopes his son will take a year off to appreciate “the beauty of ordinary life” as the WikiLeaks founder is hours from touching down in Australia.

“Julian hasn’t been home in 16 years. So it’s really a joyous day for us.”

Source: The Daily Telegraph

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Acclaimed Greek film ‘Stelios’ to have Australian premiere in April

The Greek Festival of Sydney has announced the Australian premiere of the highly anticipated Greek film 'Stelios' on April 23, 2025.

Oakleigh Grammar inducts its 2025 student leaders

Oakleigh Grammar in Melbourne has inducted its 2025 School leaders from the Junior, Middle and Senior Schools.

SA Full Court ends dispute over teacher Dimosthenis Kourlas’ registration denial

The Supreme Court of South Australia’s Full Court has ruled on a dispute involving teaching graduate Dimosthenis Dillon Kourlas.

Peter V’landys urges Donald Trump to attend NRL Las Vegas showcase

NRL chief Peter V’landys has publicly invited US President Donald Trump to attend rugby league’s season-opening event in Las Vegas.

South Melbourne FC announces Directed as Major Sponsor in landmark partnership

Directed is the major sponsor of South Melbourne FC, aligning two organisations driven by innovation and a sense of community.

You May Also Like

Pammessinian Brotherhood ‘Papaflessas’ inaugural bicentennial event hailed a success

With a lecture held in Melbourne, Pammessinian Brotherhood 'Papaflessas' initiated a series of events to commemorate the Greek Revolution.

Feeling left behind by the Greek Australian migration experience

Andriana, now over 80 years of age, who has never been Down Under, decries her brother's decision to leave Greece for Australia in 1967.

Effy Alexakis ‘Forty Photographs: A Year at a Time’ book to launch in Greece

The Australian Embassy in Athens will host Effy Alexakis and esteemed guests to speak on the 'Forty Photographs – A Year at a Time' book.