US authorities face questioning by Julian Assange over accusations of his US prosecution
In a significant turn of events, Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, testified at a Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe hearing. During his address, Assange expressed his concerns about the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) prosecution against him, viewing it as a grave threat to journalism and press freedom.
Assange's case, revolving around charges related to WikiLeaks' release of confidential military and diplomatic records, has sparked intense debate about its impact on the fundamental role of journalism in a democracy. He contends that the prosecution aims to set a precedent that would chill reporters and whistleblowers from revealing serious abuses or secrets of public interest.
His supporters describe the attempt to extradite and try him in the U.S. as politically motivated and damaging to free press norms. While recent developments in 2024 and 2025 suggest some legal negotiations and a plea bargain with the U.S. DOJ, which reportedly allowed Assange to avoid a potential 175-year sentence, the broader issue remains contentious.
Assange urged Europe not to allow the prosecution of journalists for doing their jobs. He spoke about his U.K. imprisonment at HM Prison Belmarsh and his plea deal with the DOJ. In a bold statement, Assange accused former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo of targeting him and alleging that Pompeo ordered his assassination.
Assange also expressed concern that classified government information might be exposed and that other national governments, such as Russia, could follow suit. However, it's important to note that the article does not contain any comments section for readers.
One of the key points Assange raised during his testimony was the danger of the U.S. DOJ prosecuting a foreign national. He concluded his testimony by stating that journalism is a pillar of a free and informed society.
The footage of collateral damage, a topic Assange did not directly refer to in his testimony, is shown in the film "Perpetual War." However, the article does not provide a direct link to the film nor does it discuss the potential implications of the footage for the U.S. DOJ's case against Julian Assange.
The image source for the collateral damage footage is not specified in the article, and the article does not mention any specific consequences or reactions to the showing of the footage. Despite these omissions, Assange's stance remains clear: the DOJ prosecution represents a dangerous escalation threatening independent journalism’s ability to hold power accountable, and his case is a litmus test for press freedom worldwide.
- Julian Assange warned Europe about the potential threat to free press norms if journalists were prosecuted for doing their jobs.
- Assange insists that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) prosecution against him could set a chilling precedent for reporters and whistleblowers.
- Assange's case, concerning classified government information and free speech, has sparked intense debates about policy-and-legislation, politics, and general-news.
- The collateral damage footage, shown in the film "Perpetual War," though not directly mentioned by Assange in his testimony, is another example of the challenging role journalism plays in unveiling war-and-conflicts' truths and holding power accountable.
