U.S. Ambassador to Australia, Caroline Kennedy, expressed optimism that a resolution could be reached in the case of Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks. Assange, who was arrested in 2019 for publishing classified materials, has been fighting extradition to the U.S. in British courts. Kennedy stated that the ongoing case is being handled by the Department of Justice, but she believes a diplomatic outcome is possible.
Assange, an Australian citizen, was arrested by British authorities after spending almost seven years in asylum at the Ecuadorian Embassy. Since then, he has been imprisoned in London for the past four years, combating his extradition. The charges against him include 17 counts under the Espionage Act and one count of conspiracy to commit computer intrusion. U.S. prosecutors allege that Assange conspired to hack a government computer in connection with WikiLeaks’s publication of sensitive government files in 2010, which included the Afghanistan and Iraq war logs as well as secret diplomatic cables.
During Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s recent visit to Australia, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed his government’s opposition to the U.S. prosecution of Assange. Blinken disagreed with this stance, emphasizing the seriousness of the allegations against Assange.
In response to Blinken’s comments, Kennedy suggested that there is a way to resolve the case, alluding to possible solutions that can be found in the newspapers.
When asked if a plea deal agreement could be reached with Assange, Kennedy reiterated that it is ultimately up to the Justice Department to decide.
Earlier this year, a group of Democrats sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland urging him to drop the charges against Assange. They argued that these charges pose a significant threat to journalism practices and the First Amendment. The lawmakers referenced a separate letter from news organizations from the previous year, which also called for the dismissal of Assange’s charges.
In conclusion, while the resolution of Julian Assange’s case remains uncertain, Ambassador Caroline Kennedy maintains hope that a diplomatic outcome can be achieved. The final decision lies with the Justice Department, which will determine the course of action in this ongoing and high-profile case.
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