Australian PM hails Assange plea deal as 'welcome development'
1. WikiLeaks founder pleaded guilty to a single charge of conspiracy to obtain and distribute US national defence information
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has praised the recent developments in Julian Assange's legal case, calling the plea deal hearing a "welcome development." The 52-year-old WikiLeaks founder pleaded guilty to a single charge of conspiracy to obtain and distribute US national defense information in a hearing held in the US Pacific territory of the Northern Mariana Islands. This plea deal will facilitate Assange's return to Australia within hours.
Prime Minister Albanese highlighted the sensitivity of the ongoing proceedings, emphasizing the need for respect and caution in commenting further. He noted that Australia had employed "all appropriate channels" to support a positive outcome in Assange's case, with the country's ambassador to the United States, Kevin Rudd, accompanying Assange.
Albanese reiterated that Assange's prolonged legal battle has been drawn out for too long and stressed that there is no benefit to his continued incarceration. He emphasized the importance of bringing Assange home to Australia, regardless of individual opinions about his actions.
