Not everyone is sipping champagne over Julian Assange’s return to Australia. Former Liberal Foreign Minister and alleged ASIO agent Alexander Downer took the Five Eyes track claiming Assange placed many lives in danger by releasing thousands of sensitive military communiques 10 years ago.
He said justice should have taken its course but the Australian Government intervened for political reasons, Downer claimed.
It is clear from their comments president Joe Biden and former president Donald Trump indicated they could have exonerated Assange but a plea deal between Assange and the US Attorney General beat them to it. Assange pled guilty to one charge and was immediately freed due to time already served in the UK’s harsh Belmarsh prison.
His guilty plea has worried the general media which has created a precedent that could prevent journalists claiming a free speech defence in any future legal action.
Assange is flying direct to Canberra to reunite with is family and no doubt will open up some champers. He is expected to land tonight. Well done Julian.
Brother Gabriel Shipton