WikiLeaks shared a video of its founder boarding a flight at London’s Stansted airport on Monday evening (June 24), while Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese confirmed he had left the UK.

The Australian journalist has spent more than a decade fighting legal battles and international arrest warrants, after publishing troves of US military data in 2010 that exposed alleged war crimes in Afghanistan and Iraq – including a graphic video showing the ‘collateral’ killing of 17 civilians and Reuters journalist   Noor-  by a US helicopter crew.

It is believed that the US have always wanted to extradite Assange to charge him in a US court, leading Adil to suggest that his release has come “out of the blue.

GMB correspondent Michelle Morrison agreed, saying it has brought 12 years of fighting for freedom to an end for Assange.

After his plea and sentencing, which are set for Wednesday morning (June 26) local time in the Mariana Islands, a US commonwealth in the Western Pacific, Assange is expected to return to Australia.

His wife, Stella Assange, who he married in a ceremony in   Prison in 2022, shared a pre-recorded statement addressing his release.

The Swedish-Spanish lawyer and human rights activist said: Throughout the years of Julian’s imprisonment and persecution, an incredible movement has been formed.

A movement of people from all walks of life, from around the world who support not just Julian, and not just us and our family, but what Julian stands for: Truth and justice. We still need your help. What starts now with Julian’s freedom is a new chapter.”