WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange Walks Out a Free Man
The 52-year-old Assange filed the plea at a US district court hearing on Saipan, in the Northern Mariana Islands. Saipan is a US-controlled territory that was chosen because of its closeness to australia, the place of his birth, and his refusal to go to the US mainland.
As a condition of his guilty agreement with US authorities, Assange will have to erase material that he sent to WikiLeaks. A sentence of five years and two months is anticipated for him, with credit given for the time he spent thwarting extradition in a british prison.
Chief Judge Ramona Manglona wished Assange, who turns 53 on July 3, a happy birthday ahead of schedule.
"I know you have your birthday the following week. She said to Assange, "I hope you will start your new life in a positive manner," as reported by the Washington Post.
Thanks to the plea agreement, Assange, who has been wanted by the US government since 2010 when he released hundreds of thousands of secret papers through WikiLeaks, will not data-face a drawn-out trial or possible jail term.
Assange is anticipated to return to australia after the hearing, according to US prosecutors. On the social networking site X, WikiLeaks verified his reappearance and referred to the plea agreement as "unnecessary."
The decision was hailed by the Australian government, which said the issue had "dragged on for too long."
Assange's case generated controversy throughout the world. Proponents of free speech hailed him as a hero, while others felt he jeopardised national security.
Citing concerns about human rights breaches during his detention, the UN applauded his release. His mother was relieved, but Mike Pence, a former US vice president, called the plea agreement a "miscarriage of justice."