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WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange's wife, Stella Assange, expressed her immense joy and relief following her husband's release from a UK prison after five years of detention related to an espionage case. In an interview with the BBC, Stella Assange described the experience as "incredible," remarking that it felt almost unreal.
She elaborated on the emotional rollercoaster of the past few days, noting that the situation had been "touch and go," with the last 72 hours being particularly hectic and relentless.
Julian Assange was released from Belmarsh prison on Monday (local time) after pleading guilty to violating US espionage law. This plea deal concluded his imprisonment in the UK and allowed him to return home to Australia. The 52-year-old, who had previously defended his actions as journalism, admitted to conspiring to disclose classified US national defence documents.
In her conversation with the BBC, Stella Assange mentioned that she and her husband had not yet had time to plan their future steps post-release. Their immediate priority is Julian's health, as he has endured severe conditions during his five years of incarceration.
Despite the chaos, the couple managed to speak via video call, as highlighted in posts by both Stella Assange and the official WikiLeaks X account. One such post read, "Julian calling into Sydney from Stansted airport last night (his daytime)."
Stella also shared that their children, aged five and seven, are being gradually informed about their father's release to help them understand the situation incrementally.
Following Julian Assange's release, Stella expressed her gratitude and excitement on X, thanking his supporters profusely. Her message read, "Julian is free!!!! Words cannot express our immense gratitude to YOU - yes YOU, who have all mobilized for years and years to make this come true. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU."
Stella Assange has been involved with Julian's legal team since his captivity began, a professional relationship that evolved into a romantic one by 2015. The couple married in 2022 at the high-security Belmarsh jail in London, with permission from the British prison service under the 1983 Marriage Act.
Additionally, in a video posted on the official WikiLeaks account, recorded by Stella on June 19 but released on June 25 following Julian's release, she expressed her gratitude for the support from "all walks of life" and praised the "incredible movement" behind their cause. "Julian stands for truth and justice," she affirmed in the video.
Julian Assange's parents were also relieved by the end of their son's prolonged ordeal. His father, John Shipton, specifically thanked Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for his intervention in the case.
According to The Associated Press, a plane believed to be carrying Julian Assange landed in Bangkok. The chartered flight VJT199 touched down at Don Mueang International Airport around noon for refueling before continuing to Saipan, the capital of the Northern Mariana Islands, a US commonwealth in the Western Pacific, where Assange is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday morning (local time).
