Australia's Prime Minister hailed Wednesday's hearing on Julian Assange's plea deal in the United States, calling it a “welcome development.”
The 52-year-old founder of WikiLeaks pleaded guilty to a single count of conspiracy to obtain and distribute information relating to the national defense of the United States. The hearing took place in the US Pacific territory of the Northern Mariana Islands.
The plea deal will facilitate Assange's return to Australia within hours.
“This is a welcome development, but we also recognize that these procedures are delicate and must be respected,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told reporters in Canberra.
“Given the proceedings occurring literally in real time, it is not appropriate to provide further comment,” Albanese said.
Australia had used “all appropriate channels” to support a “positive outcome” in the case, he said, noting that Australia's ambassador to the United States, Kevin Rudd, was accompanying Assange.
“Regardless of your views on Assange, his case has dragged on too long. There is nothing to gain from his continued imprisonment and we want him brought back to Australia,” the Australian leader said.
