Julian Assange LATEST: WikiLeaks founder shares emotional embrace with wife Stella as he lands in Australia a free man in front of crowds of cheering supporters following 14-year legal saga

2 months ago 24

By Jamie Bullen

Published: 09:01 BST, 26 June 2024 | Updated: 11:57 BST, 26 June 2024

Julian Assange shared an emotional embrace with his wife Stella after he landed in Australia a free man following a plea agreement with US authorities to bring the curtain down on his 14 year legal saga.

Mr Assange had been wanted by US authorities following the disclosure of thousands of classified military documents in 2010 and spent more than five years in a British high-security prison after seven years holed up at the Ecuadorean embassy in London .

But he will no longer be pursued by authorities after he pleaded guilty to a charge of espionage which will ban him from entering the US without special permission.

Follow MailOnline's live coverage of the press conference below

Read: Assange's wife reveals WikiLeaks founders plans as a free man

Daily Mail Australia's Max Aitchison reports Julian Assange's wife has revealed that he wants to swim in the ocean every day and teach their children to catch crabs as he touched down in Australia as a free man.

The WikiLeaks founder brokered a plea deal with the United States which saw him convicted of espionage in return for his safe passage to his home country.

Read Max's report here:

Australian PM shares photo of Assange call

Anthony Albanese has shared a photo of him speaking to Julian Assange moments after the WikiLeaks founder landed in Australia.

Mr Albanese tweeted:

As Prime Minister, I have been clear – regardless of what you think of his activities, Mr Assange’s case had dragged on for too long.

I have clearly and consistently – at every opportunity and at every level – advocated for Mr Assange’s case to be concluded.

This is the culmination of careful, patient and determined work.

It is another example of why mature, calibrated and consistent engagement is the best way to get results in Australia’s national interest.

Read: Julian Assange lands back in native Australia a free man

MailOnline reporters Miriam Kuepper, Nic White and Perkin Amalaraj have the story on Mr Assange's return to Australia to bring the curtain down on an epic 14-year legal saga spanning the US and the UK.

Assange touched down in the country's capital Canberra at 7.37pm local time (10.37am London time, 5.37am New York time), where he was reunited with his wife Stella.

As he saw his wife Stella for the first time, Assange hugged and kissed her before wrapping her in a tight embrace and lifting her up in the air.

Read their report here:

Julian Assange returns to Australia: Everything you need to know

Now that Mr Assange has returned to Australia, let's recap how he got there and everything that has happened earlier today.

Here are the key takeaways:

Julian Assange arrived in Canberra after reaching a plea deal with US authorities to return to Australia as a free man
Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was the first to speak to Mr Assange when he landed and said the WikiLeaks founder described his return as 'happy and surreal'
Mr Assange flew by private jet to the Australian capital after he pleaded guilty to conspiring to obtain and disclose classified national defence documents in Saipan
The conviction brings an end a 14-year legal saga that has seen Mr Assange holed up in a British high-security prison and London embassy while being pursued by US authorities
Following his return, his wife Stella said she couldn't stop crying, her two sons were 'very excited' and that her husband wanted to swim in the ocean every day
WikiLeaks have scheduled a press conference in Canberra in the next hour.

We will continue to provide coverage throughout the day.

Australian PM - Assange described homecoming as 'happy and surreal'

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange walks as he arrives in Canberra, Australia, June 26, 2024. REUTERS/Edgar Su

Anthony Albanese has said Mr Assange described his return to Australia as 'happy and surreal' following a phone call with him as soon as he touched down in Canberra.

I was pleased to speak with him. Uh, immediately upon the wheels touching the ground. I was quite pleased to be the first person here who he spoke with, which was, uh, mutually worked out that would occur.

There was no purpose to be served by this ongoing incarceration. And can I say that when I spoke with Mr Assange tonight, he described it as a surreal and happy moment. He’s landing here in our national capital, Canberra.

He expressed his thanks to what he described as the diplomatic A-Team.

I’ve never met Mr Assange. I had a very warm discussion with him this evening, though he was very generous in his praise of the Australian government’s efforts. The Australian government stands up for Australian citizens. That’s what we do.

Australian PM - Assange's safe return means so much to his family

Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has spoken following Mr Assange's return to the country.

He said:

Earlier tonight, I was pleased to speak with Mr Assange to welcome him home. And had the opportunity to ask about his health and to have my first discussion with him.

His safe returned to Australia we know, means so much to his family. His wife Stella, his children, who he is looking forward to playing with like any dad and his parents, Christine and John.

His arrival home, ends a long-running legal process, a plea agreement between Mr Assange and the United States states Department of Justice was accepted by a US court in Saipan earlier today.

I do want to express my appreciation to the United States and the United Kingdom for their efforts in making this possible.

Watch: Assange's passionate kiss with wife

We can now bring you the moment Julian Assange swept his wife Stella off her feet before planting a passionate kiss.

The WikiLeaks founder shared an emotional embrace with his partner and mother of his two sons in Canberra.

See the video below:

Pictures: Julian Assange's emotional return to Australia

These pictures show the emotional return of Julian Assange to his native homeland in Australia following an epic 14-year legal battle over the disclosure of classified documents.

The WikiLeaks founder was treated to somewhat of a hero's reception when he stepped off the plane at a Canberra airfield around 15 minutes ago.

We will bring you more reaction as and when we get it.

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange waves after landing at RAAF air base Fairbairn in Canberra, Australia, Wednesday, June 26 2024. Assange has returned to his homeland Australia aboard a charter jet hours after pleading guilty to obtaining and publishing U.S. military secrets in a deal with Justice Department prosecutors that concludes a drawn-out legal saga.(AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange gestures after landing at RAAF air base Fairbairn in Canberra, Australia, Wednesday, June 26 2024. Assange has returned to his homeland Australia aboard a charter jet hours after pleading guilty to obtaining and publishing U.S. military secrets in a deal with Justice Department prosecutors that concludes a drawn-out legal saga.(AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

Julian Assange embraces wife at Canberra airfield

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange kisses his wife Stella Assange as he arrives in Canberra, Australia, June 26, 2024. REUTERS/Edgar Su

Julian Assange hugged and kissed his wife Stella after disembarking the jet.

He waved to supporters, who applauded and cheered loudly, as Mr and Mrs Assange looked emotional.

Supporters of Julian Assange joined press from Australia and abroad at the perimeter of Canberra Airport as he landed, one holding a sign saying “Thanks Julian”.

Picture: Julian Assange arrives in Australia

Here is one of the first pictures of Julian Assange after he stepped off the plane at Canberra.

Assange waves to crowds on return

Mr Assange walked down the steps of the plane before he shook hands with crew memebrs and then hugged several people waiting for him at the Canberra airfield.

He was also seen waving to the crowd who applauded him with cheers on his return.

Breaking:Julian Assange steps foot on Australian soil

Mr Assange has just exited the plane and was was greeted with applause as supporters clapped and cheered his arrival

Pictures: Assange's plane lands in Canberra

We can now bring you pictures of the moment Julian Assange's plane touched down at a military base in Canberra just moments ago.

A private jet carrying WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange arrives in Canberra, Australia, June 26, 2024. REUTERS/Edgar Su

The plane carrying WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange lands at RAAF air base Fairbairn in Canberra, Australia, Wednesday, June 26 2024. Assange has returned to his homeland Australia aboard a charter jet hours after pleading guilty to obtaining and publishing U.S. military secrets in a deal with Justice Department prosecutors that concludes a drawn-out legal saga.(AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

'Free at last'

WikiLeaks has celebrated the arrival of Mr Assange in a tweet seconds after his jet touched down.

Breaking:Julian Assange touches down in Canberra

The WikiLeaks founder's jet has now landed in Canberra following a flight from Saipan.

Watch: Julian Assange to land in Australia

Watch the moment Julian Assange lands in Australia with our live stream below.

We will continue to bring you updates and reaction as the WikiLeaks founder returns to his native homeland following a 14-year legal saga.

Read: 'I can't stop crying' - Julian Assange's wife reacts as WikiLeaks returns to Australia

Julian Assange's wife Stella said she 'can't stop crying' after a US judge released her husband without probation, with the WikiLeaks founder due to arrive in his native Australia.

His wife Stella shared a picture of the WikiLeaks founder walking out of court on X and wrote: 'Julian walks out of Saipan federal court a free man. I can't stop crying.'

Read Nic White and Perkin Amalaraj's report here:

Stella Assange - 'He wants to swim in the ocean every day'

Stella Assange has told Australian media her husband wants to swim in the ocean 'every day' when he returns to Australia.

Ms Assange said the couple had spoken about what activities they want to do as soon as he touches down in his homeland.

See her interview below:

Picture: Journalists wait for Assange's plane

Journalists have assembled at a Canberra military base where Julian Assange will touch down on his return to Australia.

His wife Stella will be among those to meet him at the airport.

Stella Assange - Our sons are jumping 'like two little balls'

Stella Assange, the wife of Julian, has described how her 'very excited' sons are jumping around 'like two little balls' with their father due to land in Australia in less than an hour.

Speaking on a live stream operated by the Assange campaign, she said she was 'elated, excited and exhausted' as she prepares to meet her husband at Canberra airport.

She says their two sons, aged five and seven, are 'very, very excited.'

She added:

I can't get my head around it. It's like I'm having an out of body experience.

Ex-US intelligence official - People may have died because of Assange

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is no hero and people may have died because of his actions, the former United States director of national intelligence has suggested.

James Clapper said Assange’s guilty plea to a felony charge is 'important to a lot of people'.

He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme:

There is somewhat of a religious argument here between those who are proponents of transparency and those who are concerned about security. This is an endless argument. I understand what they are saying but I don’t think he is a hero.”

What he did was wrong and illegal and one of our federal grand juries saw fit to indict him on 18 charges, espionage-related charges. The concern that we have is the potential identity and compromise of assets, (the) Iraqis and Afghans who were helping us, as well as jeopardising sources and methods.

Asked if he thought there are people who are not alive today due to his behaviour, Mr Clapper said:

I imagine there are some people because they were identified as having helped us and they were doing that on a clandestine basis – when they were outed I can imagine that some of them may have lost their lives given the situation particularly in Afghanistan.

'Assange is no hero': Mixed reaction in Australia

The political reaction in Australia to Julian Assange's case and return has been a mixed picture with some MPs celebrating his release, while others say he should not be worshipped.

Here's a flavour of the difference of opinion

James Paterson, a senator in Victoria who is the opposition spokesman for home affairs, told AAP

Julian Assange is no hero, but it is a welcome thing that this has finally come to an end.

The reason why it’s gone on for a long time is that he was evading lawful extradition requests. It is a credit to the United States that they are showing such leniency towards someone accused of such a serious crime.

This follows similar comments from his opposition colleague Jane Hume, who said Assange was “no hero” of hers but that she welcomed his return: We’re very pleased to see him returned to Australia, but I don’t think that hero-worship is an appropriate response.

Breaking:Pictured: Assange to land in next hour

WikiLeaks has released a picture of Julian Assange speaking to wife Stella as he prepares to land in Canberra.

The company has scheduled a press conference in the capital for 12.15pm UK time.

Assange's brother to launch campaign for pardon

Julian Assange's brother has said he will campaign for the WikiLeaks founder to be pardoned after he was convicted of espionage in a US court.

The conviction means Mr Assange is banned from entering the US and would require special permission for visits

Gabriel Shipton told the BBC:

We're going to campaign now for a pardon for Julian

We're going to be asking President Biden for a pardon, so that this conviction can be taken off the books.

You know our allies in the Congress, Representative Jim McGovern has already tweeted out that this is a very very concerning precedent for people in the United States.

Assange's lawyer - We did it

Jennifer Robinson, a human rights lawyer who has represented Mr Assange for more than a decade, shared a picture of herself and the Wikileaks founder to say she can't wait to touch down in Australia.

Ms Robinson also represented Amber Heard in Johnny Depp's 2020 libel case against The Sun.

Australian Prime Minister - I'm pleased he is on his way home

NewsWire / Martin Ollman 13570551

Anthony Albanese, Australia's Prime Minister, has addressed his country's parliament following the outcome of the Julian Assange case.

He said:

Regardless of your views about his activities – and they will be varied – Mr Assange’s case has dragged on for too long. I have said repeatedly that there was nothing to be gained by his continued incarceration. I am pleased that he is on his way home to Australia to reunite with his family here.

Over the two years since we took office my government has engaged and advocated, including at leader level, to resolve this. We have used all appropriate channels [and] this outcome has been the product of careful, patient and determined work.

The Australian government continues to provide consular assistance to Mr Assange as he returns home.

WikiLeaks to host press conference in Canberra

WikiLeaks, the publisher of leaked documents founded by Mr Assange, has scheduled a press conference in Canberra tonight.

The company has not specified whether Mr Assange will speak at the event or even be in attendance but takes place around a couple of hours after his arrival into the country.

Earlier, Wikileaks shared an image of Mr Assange embracing his lawyer Jennifer Robinson, moments after his plea deal was finalised.

When will Assange return to Australia?

After he was released from court, Mr Assange left Saipan on a private jet to the Australian capital Canberra, where he is expected to land around 7:30pm (10.30am UK time), according to flight logs.

The island is about six hours away from Australia by plane and was chosen as a location for Mr Assange's hearing owing to its proximity to his homeland.

Speaking to Reuters news agency in Canberra, his father John Shipton said:

That Julian can come home to Australia and see his family regularly and do the ordinary things of life is a treasure. The beauty of the ordinary is the essence of life.

See this video explainer below:

Watch: Julian Assange leaves court after he is released as a free man

We can also bring you footage of the moment Mr Assange's 14-year legal saga came to an end of the US island of Saipan.

See the video below:

Pictures: Julian Assange released from US federal court

Here are some of the most striking photographs following Mr Assange's release from court on the island of Saipan.

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange walks outside United States District Court following a hearing, in Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands, U.S., June 26, 2024. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji

Julian Assange in court: What happened?

During a three-hour hearing in Saipan, Mr Assange pleaded guilty to one criminal count of conspiring to obtain and disclose classified national defence documents but said he had believed the US Constitution's First Amendment, which protects free speech, shielded his activities.

He told the court:

Working as a journalist I encouraged my source to provide information that was said to be classified in order to publish that information.

I believed the First Amendment protected that activity but I accept that it was... a violation of the espionage statute.

Chief US District Judge Ramona Manglona accepted his guilty plea, noting that the U.S. government indicated there was no personal victim from Assange's actions

The judge said:

You will be able to walk out of this courtroom a free man. I hope there will be some peace restored

Given the factual basis that accounts the whole saga of events that constitutes the basis for this very serious espionage charge against you…I am in fact sentencing you to a period of time served.

Read: Julian Assange breaks down in tears as judge declares him 'a free man'

Firstly, let's recap what happened earlier as Mr Assange walked free from court after pleading guilty to a single espionage charge.

The WikiLeaks founder was released without probation or supervision after a hearing in a US federal court on the Pacific island of Saipan.

However, he is banned from entering the US ever again without permission from American authorities.

Read Nic White and Perkin Amalaraj's story here:

Welcome to our live Julian Assange coverage

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of Julian Assange's return to Australia following his release from a US federal court.

Mr Assange will arrive in his homeland 'a free man' after agreeing to a plea deal which has brought an end to his 14-year legal saga which has seen him incarcerated in a high-security prison and South American embassy in the UK.

The 52-year-old is expected to arrive in Canberra in the next hour and a press conference hosted by Wikileaks is taking place later on.

We will bring you all the latest updates on Mr Assange's return plus pictures, videos and the best reaction from social media.

Key Updates