The West Australian Perth Now Click to open navigation
News Chevron Down Icon Breaking News Western Australia National World Technology Opinion Weather Sport Chevron Down Icon AFL Cricket Soccer Basketball Tennis NRL Rugby Motor Racing MMA Golf Netball Cycling Entertainment Chevron Down Icon Confidential Movies Best Short Film Television Music Reviews Books Competitions Business Chevron Down Icon Breaking News Economy Markets Property Commercial Property Workplace Matters Lifestyle Chevron Down Icon Food Personal Finance Health Parenting Fashion Travel Home & Garden Relationships Stars Real Estate HUH? Local News Chevron Down Icon North Central South Mandurah Competitions Find My Paper Digital Editions Shop Now Read your local paperNews to your inbox Breaking News Western Australia National World Technology Opinion Weather Camera IconJulian Assange’s wife, Stella, thanked the Australian Government for helping her husband get home. Credit: Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images breaking Stella Assange on Julian’s return to Australia: Freed WikiLeaks founder needs ‘time to recuperate’ Caleb RuncimanThe Nightly June 26, 2024 7:45PM Email Caleb Runciman Comments TopicsWorld News
Julian Assange’s wife has thanked Australia for its support as she choked up speaking about the return of her husband 14 years after the WikiLeaks saga. Stella Assange, who has two children with Julian, said June 26 is a day for “celebration” after her husband touched down in Canberra just after 7.30pm local time.
“I wish to thank Prime Minister Albanese, the officials who have been working in DFAT on securing Julian’s release,” she said. “I’d also like to thank the Australian people who have made this possible, because without their support, there would not be the political space to be able to achieve Julian’s freedom. TheNightly Get in front of tomorrow’s news for FREE Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
“And that support is across the board. I thank the Opposition for also supporting Julian’s release.” “It took people working behind the scenes, the people protesting on the streets for days and weeks and months and years.” Stella said she was “overcome by emotion” when she heard the crowd cheering on the tarmac for Assange. “We embraced, we’ve seen the picture(s) — I don’t want to express in words what is obvious from the pictures,” she said. Mrs Assange said Tuesday night was a night of celebration. “Today we celebrate Julian’s freedom, today is the day where the plead deal was made by the judge,” she said. “It is in the interest of all of the press to (investigate) this current state of affairs to change through reform of the espionage act, increased press protections, and yes, eventually when the time comes… a pardon.” She also called for privacy, as Assange rediscovers his “freedom” after his 14-year legal battle. “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,” she said. “To let our family be a family before he can speak again at a time of his choosing.”
Earlier on Tuesday — in Saipan, in the US Pacific territory of the Northern Mariana Islands — the WikiLeaks founder pleaded guilty to one charge of conspiracy to obtain and disclose national defence information. Assange spent the past five years in a high-security prison after nearly seven years holed up at London’s Ecuadorian embassy. He told the court he believed the country’s First Amendment — which protects free speech — had shielded his activities. More to come Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Email Us Copy the Link Register and have your say. Register to comment Already have an account? Log in Register Now!The Chevron City to Surf for Activ is celebrating 50 years! Keep the tradition or start a new one. From around the site Perth Now exclusive Perth Now exclusive‘Best experience’ Perth Now exclusiveCONFIRMED: Where to find Shein’s new Perth pop-up store Comments Agree or disagree?Australia’s BEST chocolate biscuits REVEALED Comments Under pressureREVEALED: Inside the scandalous case of murdered campers Universal firstChinese probe returns from the dark side of the Moon Comments Your Local News Share to TwitterShare to FacebookShare to InstagramShare to YoutubeEmail UsGet Digital Edition Register Now!The Chevron City to Surf for Activ is celebrating 50 years! Keep the tradition or start a new one. Perth Now Email UsNewsletter Chevron Down IconSubmit story tip
