Julian Assange Strikes Plea Deal with U.S. Department of Justice

The co-founder of WikiLeaks, Julian Assange, is now at liberty. After over seven years in Ecuador’s London embassy and five years in a U.K. prison, Assange departed the nation on a private plane at Stansted Airport. His departure was revealed by WikiLeaks on X, which was a big step forward in his protracted legal ordeal.

Assange’s freedom follows extensive negotiations with the U.S. Department of Justice. While the deal is not yet finalized, it represents a turning point in his case. Assange was initially arrested in the U.K. for breaching bail conditions after seeking asylum in Ecuador’s London embassy. He aimed to avoid extradition on various charges, including publishing classified documents provided by Chelsea Manning. Manning, who had her sentence commuted by President Obama in 2013, played a key role in the information leaks.

Assange’s first destination is Saipan, the capital of the Northern Mariana Islands, a U.S. protectorate. There, he is expected to be sentenced to five years but will receive credit for the five years served in the U.K.

WikiLeaks and Cryptocurrency

The history of WikiLeaks and cryptocurrency is deeply intertwined. In a 2014 interview, Assange stated, “Bitcoin and WikiLeaks helped keep each other alive.” This symbiotic relationship proved crucial during Assange’s legal battles.

In 2017, Assange dispelled rumors of his death by reading off the latest bitcoin block hash as proof of life. Additionally, supporters of Assange and WikiLeaks turned to a Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO) to fundraise for his legal defense. They raised over 16,500 ether, amounting to more than $55.2 million at current prices, demonstrating the significant financial support for his cause.