13 Birthdays
And new photo of Assange
FROM the official Assange account a few hours ago and some from Edward Snowden as well: "Julian Assange has just celebrated his first birthday in freedom after many years of persecution. The government was forced to admit in court that his only crime was journalism, and that no one had ever come to harm from it.
"That's called winning."
More from PEN and Wikileaks [1, 2]: "Today is #JulianAssange’s birthday, the first he can celebrate with his loved ones, as a free man, in years. We rejoice at his release and urge that no other journalist or publisher exposing information in the public interest go through what he endured."
It links to this article, which says: "PEN International welcomes the impending release from prison of Wikileaks founder and publisher Julian Assange. His plea deal, while granting him freedom, could set a dangerous precedent for press freedom worldwide. Espionage laws should not be used against journalists and publishers for actions that fall under journalistic activities.
"Details of the plea deal are still emerging; however, it is understood that Assange and the US Department of Justice have an agreement in principle, pending judicial approval. According to court documents, Assange has agreed to plead guilty to a single criminal count under the Espionage Act of conspiring to obtain and disclose classified U.S. national defense documents, and will be sentenced at 9am local time on 26 June (11pm GMT on 25 June). Under the deal, Assange is likely to be sentenced to 62 months of time already served, and to return to Australia.
"As Assange is set to be reunited with his family, PEN International celebrates this momentous news and longs to see him alongside his wife Stella, who has been at the forefront of the campaign to free him, and their two sons. However, the fact that he is to be found guilty under the Espionage Act sets a dangerous precedent for all those who seek to expose wrongdoings and hold the powerful to account.
"Once again, PEN International condemns the charges brought against Assange and his prosecution. No other journalist, publisher or whistleblower seeking to expose information in the public interest should go through what Assange endured for years."
More in Stella's account, including a photo uploaded 8 hours ago:
That's probable them some hours ago somewhere in northern Australia near the coast where they live in a "secret" address, according to a friend of theirs. █