Julian Assange Released: WikiLeaks Co-Founder Gains Freedom After Long Detention
Julian Assange Released After Long Detention
Julian Assange, the co-founder of WikiLeaks and a figure who has divided public opinion worldwide, has finally tasted freedom. After 1,901 days behind bars in Belmarsh prison, he has been released following a landmark decision by UK high court judges on May 20. Assange was granted the right to appeal his extradition to the United States, marking a crucial victory for his supporters. On June 24, he finally left British shores, departing from Stansted airport to his native Australia.
A Prolonged Legal Battle
The story of Julian Assange is one of the most compelling legal sagas in recent history. His detention and subsequent release have been the culmination of years of legal battles, international diplomacy, and fervent campaigning by his supporters. The journey from his initial asylum in the Ecuadorian Embassy to his arrest in 2019, and finally to his release, reflects the complex intersection of press freedom, international law, and human rights.
His detention was primarily due to his role in publishing classified documents through WikiLeaks, which exposed significant misdemeanors and war crimes committed by the United States in Iraq and Afghanistan. These revelations brought him both acclaim and enmity, making him a hero to some and a villain to others.
The Role of Global Campaigns
The release of Julian Assange did not happen in isolation. It was the result of a massive, coordinated global campaign involving grassroots organizers, press freedom advocates, legislators, and influential leaders from various political ideologies across the world. Backing from the United Nations and other significant international bodies lent considerable weight to the campaign, making it harder for authorities to ignore.
Efforts ranged from organized protests, lobbying, and advocacy to leveraging social media to keep his plight in the public eye. This multi-faceted approach helped build an unrelenting pressure that not only kept the issue relevant but also mobilized widespread support.
Negotiations with US Authorities
Central to Assange’s release was the behind-the-scenes negotiations with the US Department of Justice. Though the exact details of the deal leading to his release have not been formally finalized, it is known that substantial diplomatic efforts were involved. Legal experts believe that the deal likely includes stipulations around Assange's future activities and assurances regarding his treatment.
This outcome is seen as a testament to the power of collective action and international solidarity. It underscores the importance of global cooperation in advocating for human rights and press freedom.
The Significance of Assange's Release
Julian Assange’s release is celebrated as a milestone by DiEM25 and MERA25, organizations he has been involved with since their inception. These entities consider Assange’s freedom as a motivation to continue their fight for justice and the release of other political prisoners around the world. The impact of his release touches upon broader issues, like the rights of journalists to report on sensitive topics without fear of persecution, and the accountability of powerful nations.
Assange’s case has set a precedent that could influence future legal proceedings involving journalists and activists. It raises critical questions about the limits of state power, the role of journalism in a democratic society, and the protection of fundamental human rights.
Looking Forward
As Julian Assange begins to rebuild his life post-release, the world watches closely. His upcoming plans, including speaking engagements, potential new projects, and continued advocacy, are subjects of intense speculation. Beyond the personal, his case continues to be a clarion call for activists and journalists fighting for truth and transparency.
The story of Julian Assange is far from over. His release marks a new chapter, not just for him, but for the global movements that have rallied behind him. It serves as a potent reminder of the enduring struggle for justice and the relentless pursuit of freedom for those who dare to speak truth to power.
- Jun 25, 2024
- SIYABONGA SOKHELA
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Chris Schill
June 26, 2024 AT 08:52Finally. After over five years of being locked up for doing journalism, the system cracked just enough to let him out. Not because it was right, but because the pressure got too loud to ignore. This isn't justice-it’s damage control.
cimberleigh pheasey
June 27, 2024 AT 05:02I still remember sitting in my flat in London in 2019, watching the police drag him out of the embassy like some kind of criminal. He wasn't a spy-he was a publisher. And now they let him go to Australia like nothing happened? The fact that we're even having this conversation says everything about how broken the system is.
People say he endangered lives, but the documents he released exposed war crimes. Kids blown up by drones. Soldiers ordered to cover it up. That’s not treason-that’s accountability. And if we silence people like him, we’re all worse off.
I’m not saying he’s perfect. But the punishment never fit the crime. And the fact that he spent nearly 2,000 days in a high-security prison just for publishing? That’s the real scandal.
His release isn’t the end. It’s the beginning of us asking: who gets to decide what’s ‘secret’? Who gets to decide what the public has a right to know? And why does the state get to punish truth-tellers while the liars walk free?
I hope he finds peace. But I also hope he keeps talking. Because if he stops, the next whistleblower won’t have a chance.
Tom Gin
June 27, 2024 AT 16:24Oh wow. Julian Assange is free. Who could’ve seen THAT coming? I mean, next they’ll let Snowden back into the U.S. and give Edward Snowden a standing ovation while the CIA quietly rebrands itself as ‘The Truth Enthusiasts Club.’
Let’s be real-this was a PR move. The U.S. didn’t suddenly grow a conscience. They just realized they were losing the narrative. And now they’re handing him a one-way ticket to Australia like he’s a returned library book.
Meanwhile, the people who actually did the crimes? Still collecting pensions. Still giving TED Talks. Still getting invited to dinner parties. But Julian? He gets a decade of his life stolen for telling the truth.
And yet… somehow, the world still acts like this is a victory. It’s not. It’s a footnote. A tiny crack in the wall. But hey, at least he’s not in Belmarsh anymore. Right? Right??
Soumya Dave
June 28, 2024 AT 04:59Let me tell you something-this moment matters. Not just because Julian got out, but because millions of people refused to let his story fade. From Delhi to Dublin, from Sydney to São Paulo, people showed up. Protested. Wrote letters. Tweeted. Made art. Sat in silence outside embassies. That’s how change happens-not from the top, but from the bottom.
I’ve seen people get crushed for less. People who spoke up about corruption, about abuse, about exploitation-and vanished into the machine. But Julian? He didn’t disappear. He became a symbol. And symbols are hard to kill.
Think about it: he published documents that showed children being killed by drone strikes. And instead of investigating those crimes, they locked HIM up. That’s not justice. That’s inversion. That’s the system protecting itself.
Now he’s going home. To Australia. To family. To quiet mornings. To not being watched 24/7. But don’t think this ends here. This is the spark. The next whistleblower is already preparing. The next platform is already being built. The next movement is already gathering.
And if you think this was just about one man? You’re wrong. It was about the right to know. The right to expose. The right to not be silenced by power. And that right? It’s alive. It’s breathing. And it’s not going back in the box.
So to everyone who held the line-thank you. To everyone who still believes truth matters-keep going. This is just the first door. There are more to open.
Alex Alevy
June 28, 2024 AT 16:33Quick heads-up for anyone who thinks this is a done deal: the U.S. still has a sealed indictment against him. He’s free to leave the UK, but he’s not legally safe. The deal likely includes a plea to a single charge-probably conspiracy to obtain classified info-to avoid a trial. That’s how these things work.
He’s not ‘exonerated.’ He’s not ‘cleared.’ He’s just not being extradited… for now. The U.S. could still come after him later, especially if he speaks out too loudly. That’s why he’s going to Australia-it’s the safest place for him right now.
Also, don’t get fooled by the ‘press freedom’ narrative. This wasn’t about journalism. It was about political pressure. The UN, EU, and even some U.S. lawmakers pushed hard because it was becoming a global embarrassment. That’s the real story.
So celebrate, but stay sharp. This is a tactical retreat, not a victory lap. The war over transparency? Still ongoing.