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<p>WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange told European lawmakers on Tuesday (Oct 1) that his guilty plea to American espionage accusations was necessary as legal and political efforts to protect his freedom were not sufficient.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Assange spent most of the last 14 years either holed up in the Ecuadoran embassy in London to avoid arrest or locked up at Belmarsh Prison in London.&nbsp;He was released from jail in June&nbsp;after serving a sentence for publishing hundreds of thousands of confidential US government documents.&nbsp;</p>

<p>After being released, Assange went back to his home country, Australia.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/assange-needs-space-to-recuperate-says-wife-stella-upon-his-landing-in-australias-canberra-735403">'Julian Assange needs space to recuperate,' says wife Stella upon his landing in Australia</a></strong></p>

<p>On Tuesday, the 53-year-old addressed&nbsp;the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights at the Council of Europe.</p>

<h2><strong>'Eventually chose freedom over </strong>unrealisable<strong> justice'</strong></h2>

<p>"I eventually chose freedom over an unrealisable justice,"&nbsp;Assange told the committee.</p>

<p>"I am free today after years of incarceration because I pleaded guilty to journalism, pleaded guilty to seeking information from sources, I pleaded guilty to obtaining information from a source and I pleaded guilty to informing the public," he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Journalism is not a crime, it is a pillar of a free and informed society. The fundamental issue is simple. Journalists should not be prosecuted for doing their jobs," the WikiLeaks founder further told the committee.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also watch | Newspoint:&nbsp;Julian Assange strikes a plea deal with the US</strong></p>

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<p>The most controversial leaks by WikiLeaks featured classified American military documents and videos from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan in the early to mid-2000s that it said highlighted issues such as abuse of prisoners in US&nbsp;custody, human rights violations and civilian deaths.</p>

<p>American authorities said that the leaks were reckless, damaged national security, and endangered the lives of agents.</p>

<h2><strong>'More impunity, more secrecy and more retaliation'</strong></h2>

<p>Assange further told the committee that during his incarceration "ground has been lost", regretting that he now sees "more impunity, more secrecy and more retaliation for telling the truth."</p>

<p>"Let us all commit to doing our part to ensure the light of freedom never dims and the pursuit of truth will live on and the voices of many are not silenced by the interests of the few," he said.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange told European lawmakers on Tuesday (Oct 1) that his guilty plea to American espionage accusations was necessary as legal and political efforts to protect his freedom were not sufficient.

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange told European lawmakers on Tuesday (Oct 1) that his guilty plea to American espionage accusations was necessary as legal and political efforts to protect his freedom were not sufficient. Assange spent most of the last 14 years either holed up in the Ecuadoran embassy in London to avoid arrest or locked up at Belmarsh Prison in London. He was released from jail in June after serving a sentence for publishing hundreds of thousands of confidential US government documents. After being released, Assange went back to his home country, Australia. Also read | 'Julian Assange needs space to recuperate,' says wife Stella upon his landing in Australia On Tuesday, the 53-year-old addressed the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights at the Council of Europe. 'Eventually chose freedom over unrealisable justice' "I eventually chose freedom over an unrealisable justice," Assange told the committee. "I am free today after years of incarceration because I pleaded guilty to journalism, pleaded guilty to seeking information from sources, I pleaded guilty to obtaining information from a source and I pleaded guilty to informing the public," he added. "Journalism is not a crime, it is a pillar of a free and informed society. The fundamental issue is simple. Journalists should not be prosecuted for doing their jobs," the WikiLeaks founder further told the committee. Also watch | Newspoint: Julian Assange strikes a plea deal with the US × The most controversial leaks by WikiLeaks featured classified American military documents and videos from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan in the early to mid-2000s that it said highlighted issues such as abuse of prisoners in US custody, human rights violations and civilian deaths. American authorities said that the leaks were reckless, damaged national security, and endangered the lives of agents. 'More impunity, more secrecy and more retaliation' Assange further told the committee that during his incarceration "ground has been lost", regretting that he now sees "more impunity, more secrecy and more retaliation for telling the truth." "Let us all commit to doing our part to ensure the light of freedom never dims and the pursuit of truth will live on and the voices of many are not silenced by the interests of the few," he said. (With inputs from agencies)

'Guilty plea to US espionage accusations was necessary because...': Julian Assange

<p>Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, is scheduled to appear at a courtroom in London next week (Feb 27) in what could be his final attempt to avoid extradition to face espionage charges in the United States. The charges were leveled against him a decade after he provided the media across the world with several US military secrets that exposed a number of atrocities committed by the US troops in Iraq and Syria.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Assange's appeal against extradition was allowed in 2021 on the grounds that there was a risk he would commit suicide if extradited to an American prison. That judgment was later overturned.</p>

<p>Assange is now appealing against his extradition on grounds that his prosecution is politically motivated and that it&nbsp;represents an unprecedented assault on press freedom since this is&nbsp;the first instance of a publisher facing charges under the US&nbsp;Espionage Act.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wikileaks-founder-julian-assange-initiates-last-ditch-battle-to-halt-us-extradition-691816">WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange initiates last-ditch battle to halt US extradition</a></strong></p>

<p>In an interview with The Times, Assange's wife Stella, when asked if her husband still talks about suicide, said: "I don’t want to talk about that. But he has. There have been some very, very dark times in Belmarsh [prison]."</p>

<p>"I don't want to go into that. It’s not just about suicide; it’s about how he wouldn’t be safe from the authorities," she added.</p>

<p>According to reports, if extradited, Assange would be held in Alexandria Detention Centre in Virginia in conditions that reportedly amount to solitary confinement.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This is where Assange's WikiLeaks source, the soldier Chelsea Manning, attempted suicide four years ago.</p>

<h2><strong>What are the charges against Julian Assange?</strong></h2>

<p>Assange founded WikiLeaks in 2006. The website published millions of classified files, including official reports on corruption, spying as well as the deaths of civilians.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The leaks were described as "one of the largest compromises of classified information in the history of the United States" by the US Department of Justice in 2019.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange extradition case returns to UK Court</strong></p>

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<p>Assange, 52, has been charged with 18 offences under the US Espionage Act of 1917. The extradition proceedings have been brought against him in the United States.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>What next for Julian Assange?</strong></h2>

<p>Assange's legal saga, which&nbsp;began&nbsp;in 2010, culminated in his seven-year refuge within Ecuador's embassy in London. In 2019, he was arrested for allegedly breaching bail conditions. Three years later, his extradition to the United States was allowed by Britain.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Assange's lawyers are now seeking permission to appeal against the extradition decision made in 2022 by the then UK Home Secretary Priti Patel.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Besides, a "political offense exception" exists in the US-UK Supplementary Extradition Treaty. It allows the "requested state to deny return of the person sought if the alleged crime is of a political nature".&nbsp;</p>

<p>Assange claims that the case against him is politically motivated.&nbsp;</p>


Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, is scheduled to appear at a courtroom in London next week (Feb 27) in what could be his final attempt to avoid extradition to face espionage charges in the United States.

Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, is scheduled to appear at a courtroom in London next week (Feb 27) in what could be his final attempt to avoid extradition to face espionage charges in the United States. The charges were leveled against him a decade after he provided the media across the world with several US military secrets that exposed a number of atrocities committed by the US troops in Iraq and Syria. Assange's appeal against extradition was allowed in 2021 on the grounds that there was a risk he would commit suicide if extradited to an American prison. That judgment was later overturned. Assange is now appealing against his extradition on grounds that his prosecution is politically motivated and that it represents an unprecedented assault on press freedom since this is the first instance of a publisher facing charges under the US Espionage Act. Also read | WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange initiates last-ditch battle to halt US extradition In an interview with The Times, Assange's wife Stella, when asked if her husband still talks about suicide, said: "I don’t want to talk about that. But he has. There have been some very, very dark times in Belmarsh [prison]." "I don't want to go into that. It’s not just about suicide; it’s about how he wouldn’t be safe from the authorities," she added. According to reports, if extradited, Assange would be held in Alexandria Detention Centre in Virginia in conditions that reportedly amount to solitary confinement. This is where Assange's WikiLeaks source, the soldier Chelsea Manning, attempted suicide four years ago. What are the charges against Julian Assange? Assange founded WikiLeaks in 2006. The website published millions of classified files, including official reports on corruption, spying as well as the deaths of civilians. The leaks were described as "one of the largest compromises of classified information in the history of the United States" by the US Department of Justice in 2019. Also watch | WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange extradition case returns to UK Court × Assange, 52, has been charged with 18 offences under the US Espionage Act of 1917. The extradition proceedings have been brought against him in the United States. What next for Julian Assange? Assange's legal saga, which began in 2010, culminated in his seven-year refuge within Ecuador's embassy in London. In 2019, he was arrested for allegedly breaching bail conditions. Three years later, his extradition to the United States was allowed by Britain. Assange's lawyers are now seeking permission to appeal against the extradition decision made in 2022 by the then UK Home Secretary Priti Patel. Besides, a "political offense exception" exists in the US-UK Supplementary Extradition Treaty. It allows the "requested state to deny return of the person sought if the alleged crime is of a political nature". Assange claims that the case against him is politically motivated.

Julian Assange has talked about suicide amid 'very dark times in prison', says wife Stella

<p>Hundreds of protesters&nbsp;formed a human chain outside Britain's parliament on Saturday in support of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, demanding that the United States give up the attempt to extradite him.</p>

<p>According to AFP, the protesters' chain started in front of the Houses of Parliament, crossed Westminster Bridge over the River Thames, and then wound around the river in front of the iconic structure.</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: UK approves the extradition of Julian Assange&nbsp;</strong></p>

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<p>Supporters held life size cut-outs of Assange, and carried posters that read "Free Assange, end extradition", "journalism is not a crime" and "prosecute war crimes, not Assange".</p>

<p>Among them as per Reuters was the former leader of Britain's opposition Labour Party Jeremy Corbyn.</p>

<p>Julian Assange is wanted by the U.S. on 18 counts, including a spying charge. He allegedly violated the U.S. Espionage act by publishing classified military and diplomatic documents relating to Afghanistan and Iran wars in 2010.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-debt-reaches-all-time-high-of-31-trillion-by-2029-interest-payments-may-overtake-defence-expenditure-522565">US debt reaches all-time high of $31 trillion, by 2029 interest payments may overtake defence expenditure</a></strong></p>

<p>Washington charges him with endangering lives, however, his supporters claim that he is being victimised for exposing US wrongdoings in the two conflicts.</p>

<p>If found guilty Assange faces decades in jail.<br />
<br />
It's already gone on for three-and-a-half years," said Julian Assange's wife Stella.</p>

<p>Calling the extradition bid "a stain on the United Kingdom and a stain on the Biden administration," she said that the UK authorities should talk to the US to end it.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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<p>You can <strong>now write for wionews.com</strong> and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.</strong>"</p>


Hundreds of protesters formed a human chain outside Britain's parliament on Saturday in support of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, demanding that the United States give up the attempt to extradite him.

Hundreds of protesters formed a human chain outside Britain's parliament on Saturday in support of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, demanding that the United States give up the attempt to extradite him. According to AFP, the protesters' chain started in front of the Houses of Parliament, crossed Westminster Bridge over the River Thames, and then wound around the river in front of the iconic structure. Watch | Gravitas: UK approves the extradition of Julian Assange Supporters held life size cut-outs of Assange, and carried posters that read "Free Assange, end extradition", "journalism is not a crime" and "prosecute war crimes, not Assange". Among them as per Reuters was the former leader of Britain's opposition Labour Party Jeremy Corbyn. Julian Assange is wanted by the U.S. on 18 counts, including a spying charge. He allegedly violated the U.S. Espionage act by publishing classified military and diplomatic documents relating to Afghanistan and Iran wars in 2010. Also read | US debt reaches all-time high of $31 trillion, by 2029 interest payments may overtake defence expenditure Washington charges him with endangering lives, however, his supporters claim that he is being victimised for exposing US wrongdoings in the two conflicts. If found guilty Assange faces decades in jail. It's already gone on for three-and-a-half years," said Julian Assange's wife Stella. Calling the extradition bid "a stain on the United Kingdom and a stain on the Biden administration," she said that the UK authorities should talk to the US to end it. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here."

Hundreds form human chain around UK parliament protesting against Julian Assange extradition

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'Guilty plea to US espionage accusations was necessary because...': Julian Assange

Julian Assange has talked about suicide amid 'very dark times in prison', says wife Stella

Hundreds form human chain around UK parliament protesting against Julian Assange extradition