WikiLeaks' Julian Assange says he pleaded 'guilty to journalism' in order to be freed
In his first public remarks since he was released from prison, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange said Tuesday that he has been freed after years of incarceration because “I pled guilty to journalism.”
“I am not free today because the system worked,” Assange said during his address to the of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, France. He has been giving evidence to its Parliamentary Assembly, which includes parliamentarians from 46 European countries, on his detention and conviction and their effects on human rights.
“I am free today after years of incarceration because I pled guilty to journalism, Assange said. “I pled guilty to seeking information from a source.”
Assange was released in June after five years in a British prison. He pleaded guilty to obtaining and publishing U.S. military secrets in a deal with U.S. Justice Department prosecutors.