'Julian Assange needs space to recuperate,' says wife Stella upon his landing in Australia

Julian Assange's wife Stella said that the Wikileaks founder needed some time to recover after he spent more than five years in a British high-security prison and seven years in asylum at the Ecuadorean embassy in London.

Assange, who was expected to attend a news conference upon his arrival in Australia on Wednesday (June 26), did not speak to the reporters as his wife said, "You have to understand, he needs time, he needs to recuperate, and this is a process."

"I ask you please to give us space, to give us privacy, to find our place, to let our family be a family before he can speak again at a time of his choosing," she further said.

Assange, who was aboard a private jet, landed in Canberra and upon arrival greeted his supporters and kissed his wife.

"He just arrived in Australia after being in a high-security prison for over five years and a long 72-hour flight, or something like that -- it's premature," Stella Assange said.

"Julian has to recover, that's the priority, and the fact is that Julian will always defend human rights, will always defend victims, and that is just part of who he is," she added.

Australia PM Albanese thanks US and UK for Assange's release

Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Wednesday (June 26) thanked the United Kingdom and the United States for their cooperation in securing the release of Assange.

"Assange’s case has dragged on for too long. I have said repeatedly that there was nothing to be gained by his continued incarceration," he said.

Upon the Wikileaks founder's landing in the country, Albanese addressed the media and said he had a word with the free speech champion and he will now be reunited with his family.

"Earlier tonight, I was pleased to speak with Mr Assange to welcome him home. And had the opportunity to ask about his health and to have my first discussion with him," Albanese said.

"His safe returned to Australia we know, means so much to his family. His wife Stella, his children, who he is looking forward to playing with like any dad and his parents, Christine and John," he added.

"It is yet another example of why mature, calibrated, and consistent engagement with our partners is the best way to get results in Australia’s national interest"

Earlier in the day, Assange appeared in a US court and pleaded guilty to a single count of conspiring to obtain and disclose classified US national defence information.

The plea deal, which has ended years of legal battles and made him a free man, was entered at a US District Court on the Northern Mariana Islands.

As Judge Ramona Manglona adjourned the hearing, she declared Assange would walk from here a free man.

"On the basis of this very serious espionage case against you ... I am in fact sentencing you to a period of time served," the judge said, adding, "I am not imposing any period of supervised release".

“With this pronouncement, it appears you will be able to walk out of this courtroom a free man. I hope there will be some peace restored,” Judge Manglona added.

Under the plea deal, the 52-year-old will be required to destroy information provided to WikiLeaks.

(With inputs from agencies)