June 24, 2024 | art by Lucy Dyer | In a victory for free speech and freedom of the press, Julian Assange has been released from prison after a battle of nearly 15 years with the US Justice Department.
What was the “crime”?
Journalism.
Julian Assange exposed U.S. war crimes.
The murder of countless innocent human beings was not reported by U.S. mainstream press, even though Chelsea Manning attempted to share the information with the Washington Post and the New York Times before sending to Wikileaks.
This video released by WikiLeaks exposed U.S. war crimes.
Statement by Julian’s wife, Stella Assange
Statement from WikiLeaks:
“JULIAN ASSANGE IS FREE Julian Assange is free. He left Belmarsh maximum security prison on the morning of 24 June, after having spent 1901 days there. He was granted bail by the High Court in London and was released at Stansted airport during the afternoon, where he boarded a plane and departed the UK. This is the result of a global campaign that spanned grass-roots organisers, press freedom campaigners, legislators and leaders from across the political spectrum, all the way to the United Nations.
This created the space for a long period of negotiations with the US Department of Justice, leading to a deal that has not yet been formally finalised. We will provide more information as soon as possible. After more than five years in a 2×3 metre cell, isolated 23 hours a day, he will soon reunite with his wife Stella Assange, and their children, who have only known their father from behind bars.
WikiLeaks published groundbreaking stories of government corruption and human rights abuses, holding the powerful accountable for their actions. As editor-in-chief, Julian paid severely for these principles, and for the people’s right to know. As he returns to Australia, we thank all who stood by us, fought for us, and remained utterly committed in the fight for his freedom. Julian’s freedom is our freedom.”
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