US President Biden Considers Dropping Charges Against WikiLeaks Founder Assange

US President Joe Biden has indicated that his administration is considering a request from Australia to drop the decade-long pursuit of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange over the publication of classified US documents.

The Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, expressed optimism following Biden’s comment during an official visit with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, stating that they are hopeful for a positive outcome.

Assange, an Australian citizen, has been facing 17 espionage charges and one charge of computer misuse, potentially leading to 175 years in prison, for his role in the release of classified US documents almost 15 years ago.

The US alleges that Assange, 52, assisted Chelsea Manning in stealing diplomatic cables and military files that were published on WikiLeaks, putting lives at risk.

Australia has been advocating for Assange’s return home, highlighting a disparity in the treatment between Assange and Manning, who was granted clemency by President Barack Obama after serving seven years in prison.

Various global voices, including the Guardian, New York Times, and Le Monde, have cautioned that a high-profile trial of Assange could set a concerning precedent for press freedom and public interest journalism.

Critics argue that Assange, whom his wife Stella Assange claims is being persecuted for exposing the true cost of war, should be protected as a journalist under the first amendment.

Recent developments have raised hopes for Assange’s potential release, especially after a UK court blocked his extradition to the US last month pending guarantees against the death penalty.

Should the Biden administration decide to halt Assange’s prosecution, it would align with the stance taken by the Obama administration, which refrained from pursuing charges against the WikiLeaks founder due to concerns over press freedom rights.