WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange walks free after taking US deal

Julian Assange's wife Stella expressed her gratitude on Tuesday, thanking supporters as the WikiLeaks founder was released after spending five years in British custody.

"Julian is free!!!!" she exclaimed on the social media platform X, after news confirmed his departure from Belmarsh high-security prison in southeast London.

"Words cannot express our immense gratitude" to everyone who had supported efforts worldwide for his release. She met the Australian publisher while he stayed in Ecuador's London embassy to avoid extradition to Sweden over sexual assault charges that were later dropped.

Assange, accused of revealing US military secrets concerning the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, had been scheduled to return to court in London next month following a successful appeal against extradition.

WikiLeaks said in a statement: "Julian Assange is free. He left Belmarsh maximum security prison on the morning of June 24, after having spent 1,901 days there.

"He was granted bail by the High Court in London and was released at Stansted airport during the afternoon, where he boarded a plane and departed the UK."

Campaigners, ranging from grassroots supporters to political leaders and the United Nations, were credited by media freedom groups for their sustained efforts. They  "created the space for a long period of negotiations with the US Department of Justice", leading to a deal.

The organisation said the deal "has not yet been formally finalised".

Initially detained for breaching bail in connection with the Swedish case, Assange remained in custody as the US sought his extradition through the courts.

He is now set to reunite with his wife, whom he married in a ceremony held in the prison, along with their two young children.

"WikiLeaks published ground-breaking stories of government corruption and human rights abuses, holding the powerful accountable for their actions," the statement said.

"As editor-in-chief, Julian paid severely for these principles, and for the people's right to know.

"As he returns to Australia, we thank all who stood by us, fought for us, and remained utterly committed in the fight for his freedom. Julian's freedom is our freedom."

AFP