Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, has been released from London’s Belmarsh High Security Prison after more than five years of detention.
Assange, known for his role in publishing classified documents, including sensitive U.S. State Department cables, boarded a private jet and landed in Bangkok, Thailand, en route to the Northern Mariana Islands.
Assange’s release follows a deal with U.S. prosecutors, under which he is expected to plead guilty to a single felony count, avoiding further prison time.
This deal is a recent development in his long legal battle stemming from charges related to his collaboration with Chelsea Manning, who leaked classified information to WikiLeaks in 2010.
Upon his release, WikiLeaks announced Assange’s departure from the UK, emphasizing his freedom after years of confinement in a small cell under strict isolation conditions. He is anticipated to continue to his native Australia after concluding legal proceedings in the U.S.
Stella Assange, Julian’s wife, expressed gratitude for the global support their family received during his imprisonment, highlighting the ongoing movement advocating for truth and justice. She called for continued support as Assange begins a new chapter post-detention.
