Supplied/Reporters Without Borders
Court documents indicate that Wikileaks publisher Julian Assange has reached a plea deal and Wikileaks has confirmed his release from
the U.K.'s high security Belmarsh prison. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is still reviewing the details of the case,
but this development represents a historic victory for press freedom and the right to information. We will publish more
information as we receive it.
"RSF has been fighting to secure Julian Assange's release for the duration of his incarceration. In fact, our team, and
in particular Director of Campaigns Rebecca Vincent, were the only NGO representatives present in the London court room
for every single one of Assange's hearings and the only NGO to visit him in prison. His release represents a vindication
of that yearslong fight. This is a victory for press freedom, but until the Espionage Act is reformed to include a
public interest defense, this ordeal could happen to any publisher of leaked classified material, including journalists
and media outlets."
Clayton Weimers
Executive Director, RSF USA