'Saved my life': Assange thanks Albanese

Needing 'time to recuperate', Julian Assange failed to front media at a WikiLeaks press conference where lawyer Jennifer Robinson revealed Assange told the Prime Minister he had 'saved his life'.

Stella Assange speaks as lawyers Barry Pollack and Jennifer Robinson look on. Picture: Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

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10:06 pm June 26, 2024

Freed Assange to face 'zero restrictions' going forward

Joanna Panagopoulos

Julian Assange's lawyers Jennifer Robinson and Barry Pollack have given an insight into the long-fought plea deal for their client's freedom.

Mr Pollack said Assange would face "absolutely no restrictions" going forward.

"The case against him is over. There is no gag order. There are no other restrictions. He is going to be able to go back to whatever life he chooses to build with Stella and his family."

Mr Pollack said there were "very intense negotiations" over the last few weeks.

"One thing that we were very clear about was that any resolution would have to end this matter. And that Julian would be free and he was not going to do additional time in prison, he was not going to do time with supervision or a gag order. So that was a point," he said.

"Another significant point of negotiation was where the plea would be taken. Julian did not want to come to the United States in any form, ultimately.

"Obviously, whe negotiated Saipan under conditions where he would be released in the UK, he would come to Saipan, not as a prisoner of the United States or of the United Kingdom, and then he would come in and leave on the same day. That is exactly what happened."

Assange's long-time lawyer Ms Robinson said the "public interest" in the documents he published in 2010 remained "clear", when asked about revived debate over whether his actions were right or wrong.

"Evidence of war crimes that the US had not disclosed the extent of civilian casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan, the use of torture and other forms of human rights abuses around the world.

"There is no denying the public interest in WikiLeaks publications, which is reflected in the reasons why WikiLeaks has won the Walkley Award for most outstanding contribution to journalism at the Sydney Peace Prize."

10:02 pm June 26, 2024

Images of Assange and Stella speak volumes

Joanna Panagopoulos

Stella Assange fronts media at a WikiLeaks press conference. Picture: Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

Stella Assange has described the first moment she saw her husband Julian as a free man, saying the images of the couple kissing and embracing on the tarmac speak volumes.

"I was overcome by emotion when I first heard. There were crowds cheering, that I didn't even know were there, behind a fence, because it was dark," she said at a WikiLeaks press conference about two hours after Assange landed in Australia.

"And then I heard them cheer more and there were flashes. And then I turned the corner and then I saw that Julian was coming.

"And we embraced and I mean, I think you've seen the pictures. I don't want to express in words what is obvious from the image.

"Julian needs time to recover. To get used to freedoms. Someone told me yesterday who had been through something similar, that freedom comes slowly. And I want Julian to have that space to rediscover freedom, slowly. And quickly."

Stella said "eventually when the time comes – not today" Assange would ask for a pardon from the US administration, warning journalists that it was in their interest to seek reform of the Espionage Act and increased press protections.

"I think that he will be pardoned if the press unite to push back against this precedent. Because it affects all of you. It affects your future ability to warn the public and to publish without fear."

She replied "no comment" to a question about whether Assange would speak in the coming days.

She also did not want to comment on whether he planned to restart work with WikiLeaks.

"Look, he just arrived in Australia after being in a high security prison for over five years and… A 72-hour flight here or something like that. It's premature. Julian has to recover – that's the priority.

"And the fact is that Julian will always defend human rights, will always defend victims. He's always done that. And that's just part of who he is. He's deeply principled. And he remains deeply principled. And unafraid."

9:48 pm June 26, 2024

Assange 'needs to recuperate', wife tells press

Joanna Panagopoulos

Stella Assange speaks during a press conference at East Hotel in Canberra. Picture: Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

Stella Assange has made an emotional statement after her husband Julian landed back in Australia a free man, saying he 'needs time' after everything he's been though.

Holding back tears, she said: "Julian wanted me to sincerely thank everyone. He wanted to be here. But you have to understand what he's been through. He needs time. He needs to recuperate. And this is a process.

"I ask you – please – to give us space, to give us privacy.

"To find our place. To let our family be a family before he can speak again at a time of his choosing."

She said "things finally started to move" with the pleas deal when an extradition appeal was set to be heard in the UK High Court.

"I think that it revealed … how uncomfortable the United States government is, in fact, of having these arguments aired, because this case – the fact is that this case – is an attack on journalism.

"It's an attack on the public's right to know. And it should never have been brought. Julian should never have spent a single day in prison. But today, we celebrate, because today, Julian is free!"

She thanked Anthony Albanese and the Australian people "who have made this possible".

"Without their support, there would not be the political space to be able to achieve Julian's freedom," she said.

"And that support is across-the-board. I thank the Opposition for also supporting Julian's release.

"It took all of them, all of them… It took millions of people. It took people working behind the scenes, the people protesting on the streets for days and weeks and months and years.

"And we achieved it!"

9:38 pm June 26, 2024 Highlight

'Saved my life': Assange thanks Albanese

Joanna Panagopoulos

Australian human rights lawyer Jennifer Robinson. Picture: Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

Julian Assange told the Prime Minister moments before he left the aircraft he had "saved his life".

Australian human rights lawyer Jennifer Robinson revealed the comments at a WikiLeaks press conference on Wednesday night, about two hours after Assange arrived on Australian soil.

"I can say when we landed here in Australia, I became very emotional at the moment that we landed and the Prime Minister was the first person to get on the phone to speak to Julian," she said.

"Julian thanked him and the team and told the Prime Minister that he had saved his life. And I don't think that that is an exaggeration."

She thanked Mr Albanese, Ambassador of Australia to the United States Kevin Rudd and High Commissioner in London Stephen Smith.

She said she was absolutely delighted to be home after "a very long and complex negotiation with the US government that we've reached this plea deal that enabled him to come home to Australia as a free man".

"The terms of the plea deal are, unfortunately, that in order to achieve his freedom and to leave the high security prison in Belmarsh, he had to choose to plead guilty to conspiracy to commit espionage for publishing evidence of US war crimes, human rights abuse, and wrongdoing around the world.

"This is journalism. This is the criminalisation of journalism," she said.

Ms Robinson said "this is a huge win for Australia".

"That our Prime Minister stood up to our ally, the United States, and demanded the return of an Australian citizen. And that Julian came home today is the product of 14 long years of legal battles, political advocacy and ongoing campaigning – not just by us, but by so many people in this community.

"A global movement was created around Julian and needed to protect free speech and it is that global movement that led to his release today."

9:16 pm June 26, 2024

Assange's brother brought to tears over his return

Joanna Panagopoulos

Gabriel Shipton watched live as his brother Julian Assange emerged from the plane and onto Australian soil for the first time in about 15 years, wiping tears from his eyes.

He copied his brother's motion as he raised a fist in the air to supporters in a symbol of triumph.

"There he is, welcome home Julian … welcome home … oh wow" he said on ABC News.

He was asked what the raised fist indicated, saying it was a symbol they had shared over years and years of legal struggles.

"Well I think, I remember being in the court four years ago, in the magistrates court, watching from the gallery, and Julian was behind this glass panel and he raised his fist to me as I was in the galleries.

"So, it's a message that we've shared throughout this campaign, and I think it's a signal to everyone that's been fighting that he'll keep fighting."

9:12 pm June 26, 2024

PM shares picture of himself on phone to Assange

Joanna Panagopoulos

Anthony Albanese has posted an image to social media speaking to Julian Assange on the phone moments before he departed his private jet and stepped onto Australia soil.

"Earlier tonight I was pleased to speak with Julian Assange to welcome him home to his family in Australia," the Prime Minister wrote on X.

Earlier tonight I was pleased to speak with Julian Assange to welcome him home to his family in Australia. pic.twitter.com/r0Yl3iJtdb

— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) June 26, 2024

In a press conference earlier, Mr Albanese said he had never met Assange, but had "a very warm discussion with him this evening".

"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."

Mr Albanese said he had advocated strategically for Assange because he "believed in standing up for Australian citizens".

"As Prime Minister of Australia, you have an opportunity to make a difference," he said.

"Some people have been very critical that we weren't doing enough. What we were doing was exactly the right thing to achieve an outcome."

8:22 pm June 26, 2024

Assange disembarks to cheers from supporters | WATCH

8:14 pm June 26, 2024

'We've got this done': PM on Assange's homecoming

Joanna Panagopoulos

Anthony Albanese said, "we have got this done" as Julian Assange touched down on Australian soil, with a wave and a passionate kiss for his wife.

"His arrival home ends a long running legal process. A plea agreement between Mr Assange and the United States Department of Justice was accepted by a US court in Saipan earlier today. I do want to express my appreciation to the US and the UK for their efforts in making this possible," he said at a press conference minutes after Mr Assange had landed.

"As Prime Minister I have been very clear. That regardless of what you think of his activities, Mr Assange's case had dragged on for way too long.

"I clearly and consistently, at every opportunity and every level, advocated for Mr Assange's case to be concluded. I am very pleased that this is now over.

"And earlier tonight I was pleased to speak with Mr Assange to welcome him home and have the opportunity to ask about his health and have my first discussion with him. His safe return to Australia will now mean 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.

"There are a range of views about the actions of Mr Assange. The Australian government feels strongly that the proper protection of all national security information is vital for safety.

"But as I have said, both as Labor leader and prime minister, there is nothing to be gained by the further incarceration of Mr Assange and we wanted him brought home.

"Tonight that has happened. We have got this done."

Mr Albanese said despite people's views about Mr Assange, he could not continue to be kept in incarceration.

"There will continue to be different views about Julian Assange and his activity, my role as prime minister has been to firmly say whatever the views, there is no purpose to be served by this ongoing incarceration.

"And can I say that when I spoke to Mr Assange tonight, he described it as a surreal and happy moment, his landing here in our national capital Canberra.

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

Mr Albanese said he had received a message from the US ambassador in Australia to say "they are also pleased that
this has been resolved".

He also said he "exchanged very directly" with Assange's lawyers.

Mr Albanese would not confirm whether he would meet with Assange over the next few days.

"I'm aware of Mr Assange's movements in the coming days. But I'm not about to … Obviously, he's been through a considerable ordeal. It's up to him when he makes a statement," he said.

"I was pleased to speak with him immediately upon the wheels touching the ground. I was quite pleased to be the first person here who he spoke with (him)."

8:05 pm June 26, 2024

Assange embraces wife, father on arrival in Canberra

Rhiannon Down

Julian Assange kisses his wife Stella Assange as he arrives at Canberra Airport. Picture: Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange waves to supporters. Picture: WILLIAM WEST / AFP)

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange gives thumbs up after arriving at Canberra Airport. Picture: WILLIAM WEST / AFP

Julian Assange has disembarked from the plane to a chorus of cheers from supporters.

He waved and hugged and kissed his wife Stella, lifting her off the ground, before embracing his father.

Assange raised a fist to supporters in triumph who chanted “united, we cannot be defeated”. Some waved Australian flags.

7:56 pm June 26, 2024

'Absolutely elated': friends react to Assange's return

Joanna Panagopoulos

Suelette Dreyfus says she is "absolutely elated" to see her friend Julian Assange land in Canberra.

Assange's plane touched down at the RAAF air base in Fairbairn about 5 minutes ago.

"This has been a long time coming, and I am thrilled to see him landing on Australian soil," she said.

Ms Dreyfus said Assange will need some "healing time" after spending five years in a UK prison.

"You don't come out of five years in the scariest maximum security prison in the UK where people who are terrorists, you know, who blow things up, are sentenced to spend time, without some need of healing time," she told ABC News.

"And I think that's probably what he'll be looking forward to with his family.

"It'll be wonderful for his wife and children to get to see him. To have memories of daddy when he's not in prison. You know, that's what will be a very important, significant and positive change.

"So I think that will be a well-deserved break for him and being home, well, that just makes it wonderful."