Julian Assange freed after pleading guilty to one espionage charge at a hearing in Saipan

Julian Assange is a free man after pleading guilty to one charge of espionage in a federal United States court as part of a plea deal with prosecutors.The tension was palpable as the chief judge entered the US federal court of the remote Northern Mariana Islands, deep in the Pacific Ocean.

But with the passage of time, she accepted there had been no physical injury as a result of his actions, and he had already served five-years in one of the UK's harshest prisons.After years of communicating through lawyers and advocates, there was a moment in the hearing when Assange spoke about his case in his own words.

"Working as a journalist I encouraged my source to provide information that was said to be classified in order to publish that information," he told the court when asked to explain his understanding of the charge," Assange said.Follow the latest developments in the Julian Assange case in our live blog.

His detractors argued that he recklessly dumped unfiltered material online which put the lives of US personnel in jeopardy.

Law Law Latest News, Law Law Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Why is Julian Assange headed to the little-known island of Saipan?Family and supporters of Julian Assange are expecting the WikiLeaks founder to return home to Australia this week, but before he does, the 52-year-old is expected to make a court appearance at a little-known island in the western Pacific Ocean.
Source: SBSNews - 🏆 3. / 89 Read more »

Julian Assange touches down in Saipan, as cost of private jet revealedWikileaks founder Julian Assange has touched down in Saipan, part of the United States, where he will face court after striking a plea deal which is expected to lead to his freedom.
Source: SkyNewsAust - 🏆 7. / 78 Read more »

Julian Assange live news: WikiLeaks founder lands on US island of Saipan for district court sentencingFollow live
Source: GuardianAus - 🏆 1. / 98 Read more »

Julian Assange arrives in Saipan for court hearingPlane carrying WikiLeaks founder touched down more than two hours before the scheduled start of a plea hearing that is expected to result in his freedom
Source: GuardianAus - 🏆 1. / 98 Read more »

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange begins court hearing at US District Court in SaipanThe resolution brings to a close a more than decade-long legal battle after Assange released a cache of classified US defence documents alleging war crimes in Afghanistan and Syria.
Source: abcnews - 🏆 5. / 83 Read more »