Where is Julian Assange Now? What Happened to Julian Assange?
by P Nandhini | Updated Feb 23, 2024
Where is Julian Assange now?
Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, is currently in prison in the United Kingdom. He has been in prison for nearly five years. The prison where he is held is called Belmarsh Prison. Assange was taken there after he was arrested by the British police in April 2019.
Assange is not attending his latest court hearing because he is unwell. This hearing is taking place in London, where Assange's lawyers are fighting against his extradition to the United States. The hearing will decide whether Assange can appeal against the extradition decision made in 2022. If the appeal fails, Assange might be sent to the U.S. to face trial.
Assange's wife, Stella Assange, has stated that if the appeal doesn't succeed, Julian Assange will apply to the European Court of Human Rights to stop his extradition. Supporters of Assange have been protesting outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London during the hearing, demanding his freedom.
They fear that if Assange is extradited to the U.S., he may face a long prison sentence, possibly up to 175 years if convicted on all charges.
Who is Julian Assange?
Julian Assange is an Australian editor, publisher, and activist known for founding WikiLeaks in 2006. He gained widespread international attention in 2010 when WikiLeaks released a series of leaks provided by Chelsea Manning, a former US Army intelligence analyst.
These leaks included footage of a US airstrike in Baghdad, military logs from the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, and diplomatic cables. Assange has won numerous awards for his work in publishing and journalism.
Born on July 3, 1971, in Australia as Julian Paul Hawkins, Assange was raised in various towns in Australia before his family settled in Melbourne during his mid-teens. He became involved in the hacker community and faced legal trouble, being convicted of hacking in 1996.
However, it was after the establishment of WikiLeaks that Assange gained significant prominence. As the editor of WikiLeaks, he oversaw the publication of various controversial documents, shedding light on government actions and sparking debates about transparency and accountability.
Assange's legal battles have been ongoing for years. In 2012, he sought refuge in the Embassy of Ecuador in London to avoid extradition to Sweden over allegations of sexual assault. Though the investigation was later dropped, he remained in the embassy until 2019, when Ecuador revoked his asylum status.
Since then, Assange has been in custody in the UK, facing extradition to the United States on charges related to espionage and computer intrusion. His case has drawn attention to issues of press freedom, government transparency, and human rights.
What Charges Does Julian Assange Face in the United States?
In the United States, Julian Assange faces serious charges related to espionage and computer intrusion. These charges were brought against him after WikiLeaks, the platform he founded, published classified documents obtained from Chelsea Manning, a former US Army intelligence analyst.
The US Department of Justice has accused Assange of conspiring with Manning to unlawfully obtain and disclose these documents, which included sensitive information about military activities and diplomatic affairs. The charges specifically include 17 counts of espionage under the Espionage Act of 1917 and one count of computer intrusion.
Among the leaked materials published by WikiLeaks were videos and documents exposing controversial actions by the US military, such as the 2007 helicopter attack in Baghdad that resulted in civilian casualties. These publications led to widespread debate about government transparency and accountability.
Assange's legal team contends that his actions were in the public interest, serving the principles of free speech and journalistic integrity. However, the US government maintains that Assange's conduct endangered lives and compromised national security, warranting prosecution.
As Assange continues to fight against extradition to the United States, the outcome of his case remains uncertain, with implications for press freedom and the treatment of whistleblowers worldwide.
Stay informed effortlessly with Fresherslive's articles on current news and trends. We present information in a straightforward manner, making it easy for you to stay updated on the most important topics. Start reading now and stay ahead of the game.
Where is Julian Assange Now - FAQs
Julian Assange is currently held in Belmarsh Prison in the United Kingdom.
Julian Assange has been in prison for nearly five years.
Julian Assange is unwell, which is why he is not attending his latest court hearing.
The current court hearing for Julian Assange is taking place in London.
The purpose of Julian Assange's current court hearing is to decide whether he can appeal against his extradition to the United States.