Melbourne: Julian Assange, the controversial figure behind WikiLeaks, is poised to return to Australia pending judicial approval of a plea agreement in his protracted legal battle with the United States. The anticipated agreement involves Assange pleading guilty to charges under the Espionage Act, relating to the unauthorized dissemination of classified national defense information.

Australian leaders, led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, have cautiously welcomed this potential development. Albanese remarked, "There's nothing to be gained by his continued incarceration, and we want him brought home to Australia."

Assange, who has sought refuge in the Ecuadorean Embassy in London and subsequently spent time in Belmarsh Prison, is currently expected to appear in a US federal court in the Northern Mariana Islands. Should the plea agreement be accepted by the court, Assange would be permitted to return home, reuniting with his family after an extended period of separation.

In response to the developments, Assange's mother, Christine Assange, expressed gratitude, stating, "I am grateful that my son's ordeal is finally coming to an end."

The Australian government's efforts on Assange's behalf have involved intricate diplomatic negotiations with both the United States and the United Kingdom, underscoring the complexity of his case and its far-reaching implications in international law. Despite divergent opinions on Assange's actions, there is widespread consensus in Australia that his protracted legal saga should draw to a conclusion, potentially signaling the end of a highly contentious chapter in his tumultuous life.

Julian Assange was living in the Ecuadorean Embassy in 2013 when he made failed bid for election to the Australian Senate as a candidate for the short-lived WikiLeaks Party. 

With AP inputs