Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has reiterated his government’s strong position on the case of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, underscoring the importance of his return to Australia amid ongoing legal proceedings in the United States.
Assange has reportedly left the United Kingdom after agreeing to a plea deal with the Biden administration, which could help him avoid imprisonment in the US.
“The Australian Government has consistently said that Mr Assange’s case has dragged on for too long, and that there is nothing to be gained by his continued incarceration. We want him brought home to Australia,” Prime Minister Albanese told the Australian parliament.
Recognising the complexities of Assange’s legal situation, Prime Minister Albanese added, “The government is certainly aware that Australian citizen Julian Assange has legal proceedings scheduled in the United States. While this is a welcome development, we recognise that these proceedings are crucial and delicate.”
Emphasising his longstanding support for Assange, Albanese stated, “I’ve been very clear, as both the Labor leader in opposition and as Prime Minister, that regardless of the views that people have about Mr Assange’s activities, the case has dragged on for too long.”
Highlighting diplomatic efforts, he further said, “There is nothing to be gained by his continued incarceration, and we want him brought home to Australia. We have engaged and advocated Australia’s interests, using all appropriate channels to support a positive outcome, and I’ve done that since very early on in my prime ministership.”
Assange has reportedly agreed to plead guilty to a felony charge related to his involvement in one of the largest leaks of classified US government documents. If a federal judge approves the agreement, Assange would receive a 62-month sentence, equivalent to the time he has already served in London’s high-security Belmarsh prison while fighting extradition to the US. This plea deal, which credits his time served, could allow Assange to return to Australia immediately.
WikiLeaks confirmed Assange’s release from Belmarsh, announcing on Tuesday that he was granted bail by the High Court in London and subsequently left from Stansted airport. A video posted by WikiLeaks showed Assange boarding a plane, as reported by CNN.
Last month, a UK court ruled in Assange’s favour, granting him the right to appeal his final challenge against extradition to the US. This ruling marked a significant victory for Assange after years of legal battles to avoid prosecution in the United States.
Assange’s case has garnered international attention and ignited debates on press freedom, government transparency, and the legal ramifications of publishing classified information. His journey from seeking asylum in the Ecuadorian embassy in London for seven years to imprisonment in Belmarsh, and now potentially to a plea deal and return to Australia, has been closely followed by supporters, critics, and legal experts alike, according to CNN.