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Julian Assange’s Heroic Welcome in Australia

On Wednesday, June 26, 2024, Julian Assange received a hero’s welcome in Australia, marking an end to his long legal struggles. He arrived in Canberra just past 7:30 PM local time. Waving at the media and greeting his supporters, Assange then embraced his wife Stella with a loving kiss and lifted her off the ground.

Afterwards, he shared a heartfelt moment with his father and walked into the terminal accompanied by his legal team. His arrival brought a close to a 14-year saga marked by some of the most controversial legal battles in recent history. From being held in a high-security prison in England to seeking asylum for seven years in the Ecuadorian embassy in London, Assange’s journey has been anything but ordinary.

Julian Assange’s Triumphant Return

Australia welcomed Julian Assange back like a hero on Wednesday, June 26, 2024. He arrived in Canberra just after 7:30 PM, stepping off a private jet. Assange waved to waiting media and cheered on his supporters before kissing his wife, Stella, and lifting her off the ground.

He hugged his father and then walked into the terminal building with his legal team. This moment marked the end of a story spanning 14 years, where Assange was entangled in legal battles including over five years in a high-security prison in England and seven years seeking asylum in the Ecuadorian embassy in London.

Australian government‘s Role

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had been lobbying for Assange’s release for years. Upon Assange’s arrival, Albanese shared that he had a very warm discussion with him over the phone, where Assange praised the Australian government’s efforts.

“I had a very warm discussion with him tonight; he was extremely generous in praising the Australian government’s efforts,” Albanese said during a press conference. “The Australian government stands up for its citizens, and that is what we do.”

The Legal Journey

Assange’s return is the culmination of a long and complex legal journey. He spent more than five years in a British high-security prison and seven years in the Ecuadorian embassy in London to avoid extradition to Sweden on sexual assault charges and to the U.S. on 18 criminal counts.

These charges were related to WikiLeaks’ release of hundreds of thousands of U.S. military documents in 2010. This significant leak detailed the U.S. wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, making it one of the largest breaches of classified information in U.S. history.

In a three-hour court session held earlier in the U.S. territory of Saipan, Assange pleaded guilty to a single criminal charge of conspiring to obtain and disclose national defense documents. He maintained that the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protected his actions.

Court Proceedings and Plea

In court, Assange explained his actions while working as a journalist, asserting he encouraged his sources to provide information deemed secret to publish it. “I believed the First Amendment protected that activity,” he said in court. “But I accept that it was a violation of espionage law.”

The U.S. District Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona accepted his guilty plea and noted that the U.S. government indicated there were no personal victims of Assange’s actions.

This plea deal and its acceptance by the court were crucial in securing Assange’s release and allowing his return to Australia.

Public and Media Reaction

Upon his arrival, Julian Assange was greeted with jubilation by a crowd of supporters and a large media presence. His release and return have been a highly anticipated event, with many people in Australia and around the world closely following his case.

Supporters view him as a champion of free speech and a whistleblower who exposed significant government actions. His controversial methods and the complex legal battles have only heightened public interest and divided opinion about his legacy.

While some celebrate him as a hero, others remain critical of his actions and the impact they had on national security. This dichotomy ensures that Assange remains a polarizing figure in global discourse.

Background on WikiLeaks

WikiLeaks, founded by Julian Assange in 2006, is known for publishing classified, censored, or otherwise restricted information. The organization gained global attention for its 2010 release of U.S. military documents regarding the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

These releases included detailed reports on civilian casualties, enemy engagements, and other sensitive information. They were seen both as a courageous act of public interest journalism and a reckless endangerment of lives and national security.

The mixed reactions to WikiLeaks’ activities underscore the ongoing debate about the balance between government transparency and the need to protect sensitive information.

Impact on Journalism and Free Speech

Assange’s case has had a profound impact on journalism and the discourse around free speech. His actions and subsequent legal challenges have highlighted the potential risks journalists face when dealing with classified information.

His supporters argue that his work was essential in holding powerful entities accountable and that his prosecution represents a threat to press freedom. Critics, however, contend that the indiscriminate release of sensitive information can cause real harm and that there must be limits to such actions.

The ongoing debate about Assange’s legacy and the implications for journalism ensures that his story will continue to be relevant in discussions about media freedom and government transparency.

Future Prospects for Assange

As Assange begins this new chapter, many questions remain about his future. Will he continue his work with WikiLeaks, or will he take a step back from public life?

His legal troubles, although seemingly resolved for now, might not be entirely over. Future disclosures or actions could potentially reignite legal challenges, making his path forward uncertain.

Assange’s release marks a significant moment, but the complexities of his past and the potential challenges ahead make predicting his future difficult. What is certain is that his story will remain a point of discussion for years to come.

Global Reactions

Globally, Assange’s release has elicited strong reactions. Some governments and organizations view his freedom as a triumph for free speech and whistleblowers.

Conversely, other entities see his release as a failure of justice, arguing that his actions put lives at risk and should have been punished more severely.

This global divide reflects the broader tensions in international perspectives on issues of transparency, security, and the role of the media.


Julian Assange’s return to Australia has been nothing short of extraordinary, symbolizing resilience and the complex balance between transparency and security. His journey from prolonged legal battles to a hero’s welcome highlights the global divide on his legacy.

As he steps into this new chapter, the debates about his actions and their implications will undoubtedly continue. One thing is clear: Assange’s impact on journalism and free speech is profound and enduring, ensuring his story remains a significant topic of discussion.