The Squiz 

After more than 5 years in London’s Belmarsh prison – and more than 14 years of legal proceedings – Wikileaks founder Julian Assange has been released after securing a plea deal with the US Justice Department. The 52yo will plead guilty to a single criminal charge of conspiracy to obtain and disclose US Defence information – not the 18 espionage-related charges originally brought against him after he released thousands of classified US Government documents in 2010. But he’s not back in Australia yet – he’s been sent to the tiny US island territory of Saipan, about 3,000km north of Cape York and east of the Philippines, for a court hearing this morning. 

That’s huge…

Yep, and his family is extremely happy. Yesterday, his wife Stella posted a video of Assange boarding a plane, saying “words cannot express” their gratitude to everyone who has “mobilised for years to make this come true”. His brother said Assange has known for weeks that he could be released. “He’s been very excited, a little bit anxious, mostly excited about being free after all these years”, he said. And his parents spoke of their relief. “This shows the importance and power of quiet diplomacy”, his mother Christine said. Here’s a timeline of how it all came about, but long story short, Assange was indicted in 2019 and faced up to 175 years in prison if convicted. He and his supporters have long argued the case against him was politically motivated and against free speech. Over the years, multiple Australian Governments have pressured the US to drop the charges – and here we are.

So it’s all done and dusted?

Not quite… Yesterday, PM Anthony Albanese called the deal “a welcome development” but acknowledged that “these proceedings are crucial and delicate”. Stephen Smith, Australia’s High Commissioner to the UK, is accompanying Assange to Saipan – which reports say was at Assange’s request due to the territory’s proximity to Australia. Reports say he’ll be sentenced to 62 months in jail for the criminal charge he’ll plead guilty to – that’s the time he’s already served in the UK, so he’s expected to be freed immediately. As for when he’ll be back on home soil, insert shrugging lady emoji… Assange’s father John Shipton expects it to be sooner rather than later. And from there, “Julian will be able to enjoy ordinary life with his family and his wife Stella, that’s my understanding,” Shipton said. We will see…

To learn more about the legal saga against Assange, check out this Squiz Shortcut. And to hear more about the cases for and against him, this News Club episode might be of interest.