00:00Hey, good to see you the English news TV Julian Assange, the founder of Wikileaks, has reflected
00:19on his release from custody, emphasizing that he remains steadfast in his commitment to
00:25journalism.
00:26He addressed the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe PACE to discuss the
00:31impact of his detention and trial on human rights.
00:34He stated that he did not admit guilt for anything other than his journalistic activities,
00:40which he asserted should not be criminalized.
00:43Assange also criticized the US government for its attempts to extradite him and suppress
00:48his work, highlighting the importance of journalism as a cornerstone of a free society.
00:54Assange's legal battles began with allegations of sexual assault in Sweden, which led to
01:00his seeking asylum in the Ecuadorian embassy in London to avoid extradition.
01:05The US government pursued charges against him for the release of classified documents
01:10leading to his arrest in 2019 after Ecuador revoked his asylum.
01:15He faced the prospect of a lengthy prison sentence in the US but ultimately pleaded
01:20guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for his release.
01:24Assange's journey from the Afghanistan and Iraq War document leaks to his prolonged legal
01:29ordeal has been marked by significant events, including his self-surrender to British authorities,
01:36his public appearances and speeches, and his eventual release and return to Australia.
01:42Throughout his legal battles, Assange has maintained his innocence regarding the core
01:47of his journalistic work and has argued that his treatment by the US and other governments
01:52is a threat to press freedom.
01:54Upon his release, Assange expressed the difficulty of adjusting to freedom after years of confinement
02:00and the challenges of resuming family life.
02:03He also noted the restrictions imposed by the US government on his ability to seek legal
02:08recourse for his treatment.
02:10Despite the hardships, Assange remains a vocal advocate for transparency and freedom of information,
02:17using his platform to expose what he perceives as the failings of the current system of governance
02:23and justice.
02:24Thanks for watching the English News TV and good luck.
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