Assange Criticizes Legal System in Strasbourg Speech

Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, made his first public appearance since his release from a UK prison, addressing the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg. Assange stated he was freed after pleading guilty to journalism, expressing that his freedom was not a result of the system working but due to his plea deal with the U.S. authorities. He highlighted the severe impact of his 14-year confinement, which included seven years in the Ecuadorian Embassy and five years in Belmarsh Prison, on his physical and mental health. Assange criticized the current state of global journalism, describing it as marked by increased censorship, secrecy, and retaliation against truth-tellers. He urged European lawmakers to protect freedom of expression and warned against the dangerous precedent his case sets for investigative journalism. Despite his release, Assange noted that justice for him is now precluded due to restrictions in his plea deal, which prevents him from seeking further legal recourse.