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Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, was released by a court on the remote US Pacific territory of Saipan after a 14-year legal battle. His lawyer, Jennifer Robinson, credited Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for making this outcome possible after intense diplomatic efforts. Robinson mentioned that Australian officials worked closely with the US authorities, backed by the full authority of the Australian Prime Minister. Albanese, leader of a center-left Labor government, hailed Assange’s release as a victory for the country, leveraging security ties with Washington and London to resolve the plight of the Australian citizen.
Assange, facing a maximum jail sentence of 175 years, ultimately pled guilty to a single espionage charge and walked free under a deal struck recently. This deal gained momentum due to growing challenges to Assange’s extradition in the UK and increased lobbying efforts by Australian lawmakers and diplomats in Washington and London. The Australian government underwent a significant shift in support for Assange’s case, with various lawmakers backing the campaign to bring him home.
The diplomatic efforts were intensified when key Australian officials, including Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Attorney General Mark Dreyfus, engaged with their US counterparts. The appointment of former Australian officials to top diplomatic posts in London and Washington further supported the cause. Deeper ties between Australia and the US through the AUKUS security pact facilitated the diplomatic progress. US officials, initially adamant about prosecuting Assange, eventually softened their stance, leading to a breakthrough in negotiations for a plea deal. The UK High Court’s decision to allow Assange to appeal against extradition was a crucial turning point.
The end of this legal saga, following the massive WikiLeaks document release in 2010, marks a significant moment. As Assange made his way to freedom, a global crowdfunding campaign to cover expenses had already garnered substantial support. The release of Assange highlights the power of diplomatic efforts and international support in resolving complex legal battles of global significance.
