Julian Assange: Freed by Pleading Guilty to Journalism

Julian Assange, founder of WikiLeaks, made his first public remarks since being released from prison. He attributed his freedom not to the justice system but to 'pleading guilty to journalism' after years of incarceration. Assange was released following a plea deal with U.S. Justice Department prosecutors.

In his first public remarks since his release from prison, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange stated he is free because he 'pled guilty to journalism.' Addressing the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, France, Assange highlighted that his freedom was not a result of the justice system working correctly.

Assange testified to the Parliamentary Assembly, comprising parliamentarians from 46 European nations, about his detention, conviction, and the human rights implications.

Released in June after five years in a British prison, Assange admitted to obtaining and publishing U.S. military secrets under a plea deal with the U.S. Justice Department.

(With inputs from agencies.)