WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange made his first public remarks since his release after striking a deal with the United States, saying he is free because he “pleaded guilty to journalism.”
Speaking in Strasbourg before the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Assange described his years of detention and conviction as unjust, stating, “I am free today after years of incarceration because I pled guilty to journalism.”
Assange emphasized the dangers posed to investigative journalism by the criminalization of newsgathering, asserting that journalists should not face prosecution for performing their duties.
He declared, “Journalism is not a crime. It is a pillar of a free and informed society.”
The Australian activist, who had been imprisoned in London’s Belmarsh Prison for five years, entered into a deal with the U.S. government in June, pleading guilty to a single felony charge in exchange for time served.
Before this, he had been facing 18 criminal charges and a potential 175-year sentence related to the publication of classified U.S. materials. His plea agreement, however, precludes him from pursuing further legal action against the U.S. government.
Reflecting on his time in confinement and his adjustment to life after prison, Assange shared the personal toll it had taken, including the challenges of reintegrating into family life.
He was accompanied by his wife Stella and WikiLeaks editor-in-chief Kristinn Hrafnsson during his testimony.
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