Assange pleaded guilty to revealing US military secrets – and was released

Assange pleaded guilty to revealing US military secrets – and was released Anastasia Lukashevskaya

Assange left the courtroom/Getty Images

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange pleaded guilty to disclosing US military secrets. He reached an agreement with U.S. Justice Department prosecutors that ensures his freedom.

The agreement ends years of legal wrangling that have fueled controversy over press freedom and national security.

The indictment was filed Wednesday morning in federal court in Saipan, capital of the Northern Mariana Islands, a U.S. commonwealth of the Pacific.

< h2 class="news-subtitle cke-markup">Assange's case closed

Assange arrived in court just before the hearing began, avoiding questions from journalists.

The judge announced that Assange's case was closed and he could leave the courtroom a free man.

The court took into account the deadline that the WikiLeaks founder had already served in prison, and ruled that no further prison time was required.

Assange flew to Canberra

American authorities also withdrew their extradition request.

The island territory for the deal was not chosen by chance: Assange did not want to admit guilt on the continent, except Moreover, the island of Saipan is located not far (3200 km) from Australia, where the founder of WikiLeaks has now gone.