The US plea deal hearing for Julian Assange on Wednesday was hailed by Australia’s prime minister as a “welcome development.”
The 52-year-old creator of WikiLeaks entered a guilty plea to one count of conspiring to obtain and disseminate material related to US national defense. The Northern Mariana Islands, a US Pacific territory, served as the venue for the hearing.
In a few of hours, the plea agreement will enable Assange to return to Australia.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told reporters in Canberra, “This is a welcome development, but we recognize as well that these proceedings are sensitive and should be respected.”
“Given those proceedings that are happening literally in real time, it isn´t appropriate to provide further commentary,” Albanese stated.
He claimed that Australia has followed “all appropriate channels” to ensure a “positive outcome” in the case.
mentioning that Assange was being accompanied by Kevin Rudd, Australia’s ambassador to the US.
“Mr. Assange’s case has been dragged out for far too long, regardless of your opinions about him. We want him returned to Australia because there is no benefit to his prolonged detention,” the Australian leader declared.
