WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has returned to his native Australia, marking the end of a protracted legal battle that spanned over a decade. The 52-year-old arrived in Canberra on Wednesday aboard a charter jet, just hours after pleading guilty to a single felony count related to obtaining and publishing U.S. military secrets.
The surprise conclusion to this international legal saga unfolded in an unexpected location - the U.S. district court in Saipan, capital of the Northern Mariana Islands. This American commonwealth in the Pacific was chosen to accommodate Assange's desire to avoid entering the continental United States while still allowing for the legal proceedings to take place on U.S. soil.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described Assange's return as a "surreal and happy moment." Speaking to reporters at Parliament House, Albanese said, "I had a very warm discussion with him this evening. He was very generous in his praise of the Australian government's efforts."
The plea deal, which was disclosed on Monday night in a Justice Department letter, allows Assange to return to Australia without serving additional time in an American prison. The judge sentenced him to the five years he had already spent behind bars in the U.K. fighting extradition to the U.S.
Assange was accompanied on his journey by Australian Ambassador to the United States Kevin Rudd and High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Stephen Smith, both of whom played crucial roles in negotiating his freedom with London and Washington.
Upon arrival in Canberra, Assange was greeted by his wife, Stella Assange, and his father, John Shipton. Emerging from the plane, Assange raised his right fist as supporters cheered from a distance. Dressed in the same suit and tie he wore during his court appearance, he embraced his family on the tarmac.
The conclusion of this case allows both sides to claim a degree of satisfaction. The U.S. Justice Department resolved a case that raised complex legal issues without going to trial, while Assange avoided a potentially lengthy prison sentence in the United States.
Assange's lawyer, Jennifer Robinson, thanked Prime Minister Albanese "for his statesmanship, his principled leadership and his diplomacy, which made this outcome possible." Another of Assange's lawyers, Barry Pollack, expects his client to continue his vocal campaigning, stating, "WikiLeaks's work will continue and Mr. Assange, I have no doubt, will be a continuing force for freedom of speech and transparency in government."
The WikiLeaks founder had been accused of receiving and publishing hundreds of thousands of war logs and diplomatic cables that included details of U.S. military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. His activities drew support from press freedom advocates, who praised his role in exposing military conduct that might otherwise have remained hidden.
As Assange begins this new chapter in his life, questions remain about his future plans and whereabouts within Australia. His father expressed hope that his son would now be able to enjoy "the great beauty of ordinary life," including spending time with his family and experiencing simple pleasures like walking on the beach.
The resolution of Assange's case marks a significant moment in the ongoing debate about press freedom, government transparency, and the balance between national security and public interest. As the dust settles on this long-running saga, the impact of Assange's actions and the precedent set by this plea deal will likely continue to be subjects of discussion and analysis for years to come.
