Julian Assange to Speak at Council of Europe

Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, will make his first public statement since his release from prison in June 2023, addressing the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg on October 1. His testimony follows a report by the Parliamentary Assembly that classifies him as a political prisoner and calls for an independent investigation into his treatment in the UK. Assange, who spent 12 years seeking asylum, including seven in the Ecuadorian embassy and five in Belmarsh Prison, has been hailed by supporters as a champion of free speech, while detractors criticize his actions as endangering lives and national security. Since his release, Assange has been recovering in Australia, and his family has emphasized the need for privacy. The Parliamentary Assembly will debate a new report on his case on October 2, further scrutinizing the implications of his detention on human rights and press freedom. His situation continues to evoke strong opinions on both sides of the debate over journalistic freedom and state security.