Julian Assange Released from Prison

Founder of WikiLeaks Plans to Plead Guilty in U.S. Deal

Charges Relate to Publication of Classified Documents

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has been released from prison in the United Kingdom after a U.S. judge signed off on his extradition. Assange plans to plead guilty in a deal with the United States that will allow him to go free years after publishing classified documents. The charges relate to WikiLeaks' publication of almost half a million classified U.S. diplomatic and military cables in 2010.

Assange was arrested in 2019 after spending seven years in the Ecuadorian embassy in London to avoid extradition to Sweden, where he was wanted for questioning in a sexual assault case. He was later indicted by the U.S. on espionage charges.

Assange's release comes as part of a deal that will see him plead guilty to a single charge of conspiracy to commit computer intrusion. He will be sentenced to five years in prison but will be allowed to serve his sentence in the United States.

Assange's release has been met with mixed reactions. Some have welcomed the decision, arguing that he is a political prisoner who should not be extradited to the United States. Others have criticized the deal, arguing that it sends the wrong message to whistleblowers.

Assange is expected to travel home to Australia after his release. However, it is unclear whether he will face any further charges in that country.