Julian Assange Freed from Prison after Landmark Deal with US

Subheading: WikiLeaks Founder Pleads Guilty to Espionage Law Violation

Pleading Guilty in Deal to Go Free

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was released from prison on June 24th and has left Britain, WikiLeaks said, as he reached a landmark plea deal with US authorities. The deal includes a sentence of time already served, effectively making Assange a free man.

Details of the Plea Deal

According to the terms of the deal, Assange will plead guilty on Wednesday to violating US Espionage law. In exchange, he will avoid further prosecution and will be allowed to go free. The deal brings an end to years of legal battles between Assange and the US government.

Background: Assange's Arrest and Charges

Assange was arrested in London in 2019 for violating bail conditions related to a separate case. He was subsequently indicted by the US on charges of espionage and conspiracy. Assange has maintained his innocence and has argued that he was acting as a journalist and whistleblower when he published classified documents on WikiLeaks.

Implications for WikiLeaks and Freedom of the Press

The deal between Assange and the US government has significant implications for both WikiLeaks and the broader issue of freedom of the press. Some observers have criticized the deal, arguing that it sets a dangerous precedent for prosecuting journalists who publish leaked classified information.

Assange's Future Plans

Assange is expected to travel home to Australia after his release. He has stated that he intends to continue working on WikiLeaks and to advocate for freedom of information.