Julian Assange's release came about through a mix of diplomacy, politics, and legal maneuvers. After being confined for seven years voluntarily and detained for five more, he left London's Stansted airport for Australia on Monday.
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| The Australian government has been advocating for his release with the United States several time Image Credit : Reuters |
The deal that freed him took months to arrange and became possible due to several factors. The UK Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said it started considering a plea deal in March, working with the US to plan Assange's release in line with his and the US government's wishes.
The election of Australia's new government in May 2022, led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, played a significant role. Albanese, though not endorsing all of Assange's actions, prioritized his release, believing it was time for Assange to come home. Australian politicians across parties supported this cause, with MPs lobbying the US Congress and Albanese discussing the matter with President Joe Biden.
In February, Australia's parliament overwhelmingly voted to urge the US and UK to allow Assange's return. Key diplomatic efforts were led by Australia's High Commissioner in London, Stephen Smith, who worked closely with the US Ambassador to Australia, Caroline Kennedy, and other officials.
Legally, a major breakthrough came on May 20 when the UK High Court allowed Assange to appeal against his extradition to the US. This added pressure on both sides to finalize a deal, as prolonged legal battles were imminent.
Ultimately, both the US and UK saw benefits in resolving the issue. The US wanted to maintain good relations with Australia, particularly due to the Aukus defense partnership. The looming presidential election in the US also added urgency, with speculation that a Labour government in the UK might oppose Assange's extradition.
In the end, all parties agreed on a compromise, bringing an end to the lengthy saga.
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