Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, made his first public appearance since being released from Belmarsh Prison in London in June. Speaking at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in France, Assange reflected on his 14-year legal battle, which began with the publication of evidence of U.S. war crimes in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Assange’s journey included years of confinement in a maximum-security prison, house arrest, and seeking political asylum at the Ecuadorian Embassy in London. He finally pleaded guilty to a U.S. charge of obtaining and disclosing national security material, avoiding facing up to 175 years in prison in the United States.
Despite his release, Assange expressed the challenges he faced during his imprisonment and the impact it had on his mental and physical well-being. He highlighted the importance of global efforts to secure his freedom and emphasized the need for stronger legal protections for journalists.
During his speech, Assange thanked the Parliamentary Assembly for their resolutions supporting his release and addressing the dangers journalists face. He emphasized the importance of upholding freedom of expression and exposing the truth, despite the ongoing threats and challenges journalists encounter.
Assange’s appearance shed light on the ongoing struggle for press freedom and the need to protect journalists from intimidation and persecution.
