Julian Assange Plea Deal with DOJ, Released After Time Served

WikiLeaks co-founder Julian Assange has struck a plea deal with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), pleading guilty to a single espionage charge in exchange for a sentence for time served. This development has led to Assange’s release after years of detention.

Details of the Plea Deal

Julian Assange, who has been a highly controversial figure due to his role in publishing classified U.S. documents, has reached a plea agreement with the DOJ. The plea deal involves Assange pleading guilty to one count of espionage, resulting in his release after serving time in the U.K.

Assange’s Journey

Assange’s journey has been marked by significant legal and diplomatic challenges:

He spent nearly seven years in Ecuador’s London embassy seeking asylum to avoid extradition.
After his asylum was revoked, he was arrested by U.K. authorities in 2019 for breaching bail conditions.
Assange spent five years in a U.K. jail, adding to the time he spent in the embassy.

Departure from the U.K.

Following the plea deal, Assange boarded a private jet at Stanstead Airport and left the U.K. His first stop is Saipan, the capital of the Northern Mariana Islands, a U.S. protectorate. Here, he is expected to be sentenced to five years but will receive credit for the five years already served in the U.K.

WikiLeaks and Cryptocurrency

The history of WikiLeaks and cryptocurrency is closely intertwined:

In a 2014 interview, Assange mentioned that bitcoin and WikiLeaks supported each other’s survival. WikiLeaks started accepting bitcoin donations during a financial blockade, which provided crucial funding and helped legitimize bitcoin.
In 2017, Assange used the latest bitcoin block hash as proof-of-life amidst rumors of his death.
Supporters of Assange and WikiLeaks turned to a Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO) to raise funds for his legal defense, amassing over 16,500 ether, valued at over $55.2 million.

Julian Assange’s release marks a significant moment in the saga of WikiLeaks and its founder. The plea deal with the DOJ closes a chapter on a long-standing legal battle that has seen Assange navigating complex international legal and diplomatic landscapes.