Julian Assange Released from British Custody, Leaves the UK

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 social media, following confirmation of his departure from Belmarsh high-security prison in southeast London. She conveyed their “immense gratitude” to everyone who supported the worldwide efforts for his release. Stella met the Australian publisher while he was in Ecuador’s London embassy, avoiding extradition to Sweden over now-dropped sexual assault charges.

Assange, accused of exposing US military secrets about the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, had been due to return to a London court next month after successfully appealing against extradition. WikiLeaks announced: “Julian Assange is free. He left Belmarsh maximum security prison on the morning of June 24, after spending 1,901 days there.”

He was granted bail by the High Court in London and was released at Stansted airport in the afternoon, where he boarded a plane and left the UK. Campaigners, including grassroots supporters, political leaders, and the United Nations, were credited by media freedom groups for their sustained efforts, which created the opportunity for extended negotiations with the US Department of Justice, resulting in a deal. The organization noted that the deal “has not yet been formally finalized.”

Initially detained for breaching bail related to 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 prison ceremony, along with their two young children.

“WikiLeaks published groundbreaking stories of government corruption and human rights abuses, holding the powerful accountable,” the statement read. “As editor-in-chief, Julian paid severely for these principles and for the public’s right to know. As he returns to Australia, we thank all who supported us, fought for us, and remained committed to his freedom. Julian’s freedom is our freedom.”