Julian Assange says he is free today because he ’pled guilty to journalism’

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has spoken in public for the first time since being released from prison after he struck a deal with the United States. Mr Assange, accompanied by his wife Stella and WikiLeaks editor Kristinn Hrafnssson, said: “Justice for me is now precluded as the US government insisted in writing into its plea agreement that I cannot file a case at the European Court of Human Rights or even a Freedom of Information Act request over what it did to me as a result of its extradition request. “I want to be totally clear: I am not free today because the system worked. “I am free today (after) years of incarceration because I pled guilty to journalism. Watch more on Independent TV: The Independent is the world’s most free-thinking newsbrand, providing global news, commentary and analysis for the independently-minded. Subscribe: Find us on social: TikTok /