Julian Assange arrived in Canberra, Australia, just after 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday. As he walked across the tarmac, he was greeted by his wife, Stella Assange. Supporters who braved the chilly weather cheered and applauded, shouting phrases like “We love you Julian” and “Welcome home.”
Stella Assange stated that her husband needs time to recover after his extensive legal battle.
What Legal Challenges Did Julian Assange Just Overcome?
Assange left a U.S. court in the Pacific island territory of Saipan as a free man on Wednesday, after pleading guilty to a single count of conspiring to receive and disclose classified defense documents. He was sentenced to time already served, considering his incarceration in Belmarsh Prison, London.
His release concludes a legal ordeal spanning over a decade. Assange spent five years in high-security detention and seven years at the Ecuadorian embassy in London, fighting extradition to the U.S. on 18 criminal charges. Had he been convicted, he faced up to 175 years in prison.
Immediately following a three-hour hearing, the U.S. government withdrew its extradition request from the U.K., dropped all remaining directives, and barred Assange from returning to the U.S. without authorization. Assange then traveled directly to Canberra, arriving on Wednesday evening.
Who Accompanied Julian Assange on His Journey to Australia?
Assange traveled to Australia aboard a private Bombardier jet, accompanied by his legal team, U.S. Ambassador Kevin Rudd, and U.K. High Commissioner Stephen Smith.
His wife, Stella Assange, along with his lawyers Jennifer Robinson and Barry Pollack, held a press conference on Wednesday night. Stella thanked supporters and requested privacy for her husband’s recovery.
What Did Julian Assange’s Wife Say About His Return?
“Julian needs time to recover and adjust to freedom. Someone who has been through something similar told me that freedom comes slowly,” Stella Assange said at the press conference. “I want Julian to have the space to rediscover freedom, both slowly and quickly.”
Jennifer Robinson also expressed gratitude to former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, now U.S. Ambassador, and current Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Robinson became emotional upon arriving in Australia and noted that Albanese was the first to contact Assange by phone. “Julian thanked him and the team and told the Prime Minister that he had saved his life. I don’t think that’s an exaggeration,” Robinson stated.
At a press briefing shortly after Assange’s arrival, Albanese expressed his pleasure at being the first person to speak with Assange upon his return.
“His safe return to Australia means so much to his family, including his wife Stella, his children, and his parents, Christine and John,” Albanese said. “There was no purpose served by his continued incarceration. When I spoke with Mr. Assange tonight, he described it as a surreal and joyful moment.”
