Julian Assange, founder of WikiLeaks, is set to make his first public appearance post-release in Strasbourg, addressing the Council of Europe. His speech follows his return to Australia after a 14-year legal saga, where he pled guilty to U.S. espionage charges. Assange’s case continues to raise concerns about human rights and political imprisonment.
Assange’s First Public Appearance Since Release
Julian Assange, the controversial founder of WikiLeaks, will deliver a public speech next week at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg. His address will mark his first appearance since being released from a British jail in June 2024, following a plea deal that saw him plead guilty to violating U.S. espionage law.
Return to Australia After Legal Deal
Assange, who had been held in Belmarsh Prison since 2019, was freed after striking a deal that secured his return to Australia. This concluded a 14-year legal battle that began when WikiLeaks published hundreds of thousands of classified U.S. military documents. Assange’s actions led to accusations that he endangered lives and violated U.S. law, though he has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
Strasbourg Testimony on Human Rights
Assange’s speech at the Council of Europe will provide testimony regarding his case and the broader implications for human rights and political imprisonment. The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) recently classified him as a political prisoner and called on the U.S. to investigate whether Assange had been subjected to inhumane treatment during his detention.
Ongoing Debate Over Assange’s Actions
The legal action against Assange began in 2010, with U.S. authorities claiming that his massive leak of classified documents endangered lives, particularly those involved in military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Assange’s supporters argue that his work exposed government misconduct and championed freedom of speech. His case has sparked debate about the balance between national security and transparency in a democratic society.
Assange’s Time in the Ecuadorian Embassy
Before being imprisoned in Belmarsh, Assange spent years in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London, where he sought asylum to avoid extradition. He was eventually removed from the embassy in 2019 and taken into British custody. His release and subsequent return to Australia mark a significant development in his long-standing legal battle.
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