Julian Paul Assange is an Australian editor, publisher, and activist best known for founding WikiLeaks in 2006. He gained significant international attention in 2010 when WikiLeaks released a series of leaks provided by US Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning. These leaks included footage of a US airstrike in Baghdad, military logs from the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, and US diplomatic cables. Assange has received multiple awards for his contributions to publishing and journalism.
After WikiLeaks released the Manning material, US authorities began investigating WikiLeaks and Julian Assange to prosecute them under the Espionage Act of 1917.
The Espionage Act of 1917 is a United States federal law passed on 15 June 1917, shortly after the U.S. entry into World War I. This act has been a significant point of reference in the legal challenges faced by Julian Assange.
Christine Ann Hawkins, Julian Assange's mother, was born in 1951. She is a visual artist who played a significant role in Assange's early life.
Julian Paul Assange was born on 3 July 1971 in Townsville, Queensland. He was born to Christine Ann Hawkins, a visual artist, and John Shipton, an anti-war activist and builder. The couple separated before his birth.
Julian Paul Assange was born on 3 July 1971 in Townsville, Queensland. He was born to Christine Ann Hawkins, a visual artist, and John Shipton, an anti-war activist and builder. The couple separated before his birth.
In 1979, Christine Ann Hawkins and Brett Assange, Julian's stepfather, divorced. Julian Assange regards Brett as his father and took his surname.
Julian Assange attended Goolmangar Primary School in New South Wales from 1979 to 1983. His early education was marked by frequent moves and a nomadic lifestyle.
In 1982, Christine Assange and Leif Meynell, also known as Leif Hamilton, separated. Meynell was described by Julian Assange as a member of an Australian cult called 'The Family.'
Julian Assange attended Goolmangar Primary School in New South Wales from 1979 to 1983. His early education was marked by frequent moves and a nomadic lifestyle.
By 1987, at the age of 16, Julian Assange had become a skilled hacker under the pseudonym Mendax. During this time, the police raided his mother's home and confiscated his equipment, although no charges were raised.
In 1988, Julian Assange used social engineering to gain access to the mainframes of Australia's Overseas Telecommunications Commission. Despite his extensive hacking activities, Assange adhered to a self-imposed ethical code.
In 1989, Julian Assange may have been involved in the WANK hack at NASA, although this has never been proven. The hack was considered the origin of hacktivism, according to Assange.
In 1989, while still a teenager, Julian Assange married Teresa, and they had a son named Daniel. This marked a significant life event for Assange.
In September 1991, the Australian Federal Police set up an investigation called Operation Weather targeting Julian Assange's hacking group, The International Subversives. Assange was discovered hacking into the Melbourne master terminal of Nortel, leading to a raid on his home.
By 1991, Julian Assange was recognized as one of Australia's most accomplished hackers. His hacking activities earned him a notorious reputation, and he was described as Australia's 'most famous ethical computer hacker.'
In mid-1991, Julian Assange and his hacking group targeted MILNET, a secret data network used by the US military. Assange claimed they had control over it for two years, although this has been contested.
In 1993, Julian Assange provided technical support to the Victoria Police Child Exploitation Unit to help prosecute individuals involved in child pornography. His assistance was voluntary, and he did not act as an informer. This role was later discussed during his 1996 sentencing on computer hacking charges.
In 1993, Julian Assange took over the Suburbia Public Access Network, one of Australia's first public Internet service providers, after its original owner moved to Sydney. This role marked the beginning of his deep involvement in internet technologies.
In late 1993 or early 1994, Julian Assange joined the cypherpunk mailing list, where he focused on the potential and threats of information-sharing through the internet. During this period, he started programming and developed encryption and cyber warfare systems, including the Strobe port scanner.
In 1994, Julian Assange studied programming, mathematics, and physics at Central Queensland University, although he did not complete his degree.
In 1994, Julian Assange was charged with 31 counts of crimes related to hacking. These included defrauding Telecom Australia and fraudulent use of a telecommunications network. Assange admitted to inserting or deleting only his program, while the prosecution argued that his activities encouraged others to hack. This case led to significant legal and personal challenges for Assange.
In May 1995, Julian Assange's case was presented to the Supreme Court of Victoria but it was referred back to the County Court. This was part of the legal proceedings related to his 1994 hacking charges, during which Assange experienced severe emotional distress, leading him to check into a psychiatric hospital and spend six months in the wilderness around Melbourne.
In November 1996, Julian Assange sent an email mentioning a 'LEAKS' project, hinting at his future work with WikiLeaks.
In December 1996, facing a potential 290-year prison sentence, Julian Assange struck a plea deal and pleaded guilty to 24 hacking charges. Despite the severity of the charges, he was sentenced to a fine of A$2,100 and released on a good behaviour bond due to his disrupted childhood and lack of malicious intent. This trial was a formative period for Assange, setting him on a path that would eventually lead to the founding of WikiLeaks.
In 1996, Julian Assange helped police remove an internet book on how to build a bomb. This contribution was highlighted during his sentencing on computer hacking charges that same year.
In 1996, Julian Assange moderated the AUCRYPTO forum and ran a computer security advice website for 5,000 subscribers. He also contributed research to the book 'Underground' about Australian hackers, deliberately minimizing his role to highlight the broader community.
In 1996, Julian Assange was convicted for hacking activities. This period marked his deep involvement with the hacker community.
In 1997, Julian Assange contributed research to Suelette Dreyfus's book 'Underground,' which explored the world of hackers and digital activism.
In 1997, Julian Assange contributed research to Suelette Dreyfus's book 'Underground,' which focused on Australian hackers, including the International Subversives. Assange minimized his role in the book to emphasize the contributions of the larger hacker community.
In October 1998, Julian Assange announced his plans to travel through Russia, Mongolia, China, Poland, and Eastern Europe. By this time, he had co-founded the network intrusion detection company Earthmen Technology and was working as a consultant for large corporations.
In August 1999, Julian Assange publicized a patent granted to the National Security Agency for voice-data harvesting technology, expressing concerns about the potential for widespread surveillance of international phone calls.
In 1999, Julian Assange's custody dispute with his ex-wife Teresa over their son Daniel concluded. The stress of the dispute was so intense that it reportedly caused Assange's brown hair to turn white.
Julian Assange attended the University of Melbourne from 2003 to 2006, studying programming, mathematics, and physics. He did not complete his degree but started the Puzzle Hunt tradition at the university.
The Iraq War logs, which WikiLeaks published in 2010, covered U.S. Army field reports from 2004 to 2009, revealing the grim realities of the Iraq War.
In December 2006, Julian Assange created a dating profile on the website OkCupid under the username Harry Harrison. He described himself as a 'passionate, and often pig headed activist intellectual' involved in a 'dangerous human rights project'. This profile was verified by OkCupid CEO Sam Yagan.
In December 2006, WikiLeaks posted its first leak. During this time, Julian Assange also published an essay outlining the strategy behind WikiLeaks, emphasizing the use of leaks to expose and reduce organizational abuse and dishonesty.
In 2006, Julian Assange founded WikiLeaks, a platform aimed at publishing sensitive information and classified documents while maintaining the anonymity of its sources.
In 2006, Julian Assange wrote articles such as 'State and Terrorist Conspiracies' and 'Conspiracy as Governance,' which laid the foundation for his later work with WikiLeaks.
In 2006, Julian Assange founded WikiLeaks, a platform aimed at publishing sensitive information and classified documents while maintaining the anonymity of its sources.
In 2006, Julian Assange and a group of dissidents, mathematicians, and activists established WikiLeaks. Assange became a member of its advisory board, marking the beginning of a significant chapter in his career.
In an email sent in January 2007, Julian Assange mentioned having a daughter. This was one of the few public acknowledgements of his children, as he generally kept his family life private.
On 12 July 2007, a U.S. military airstrike in Baghdad resulted in the deaths of 18 civilians, including Reuters journalists Namir Noor-Eldeen and Saeed Chmagh. The incident was later exposed by WikiLeaks in 2010 through the 'Collateral Murder' video.
In December 2007, Julian Assange found key supporters at the Chaos Computer Club conference in Berlin. These included Daniel Domscheit-Berg, Jacob Appelbaum, and the Swedish hosting company PRQ.
From 2007 to 2010, Julian Assange traveled extensively for WikiLeaks, visiting Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America to further the organization's mission.
In 2008, Julian Assange authored 'The Hidden Curse of Thomas Paine,' continuing his series of writings on governance and conspiracy theories.
In 2008, WikiLeaks' international profile significantly increased when Swiss bank Julius Baer attempted to prevent the site's publication of its bank records through an injunction in a Californian court. Julian Assange received extensive legal support from free-speech and civil rights groups. The attempt backfired, drawing global attention to WikiLeaks and the bank documents due to the Streisand effect.
In 2008, WikiLeaks, with Julian Assange as its editor-in-chief, published numerous significant leaks. These included revelations about drone strikes in Yemen, corruption in the Arab world, and extrajudicial executions by Kenyan police, among others. These publications had a substantial impact on political news across multiple countries.
In 2008, under the editorial leadership of Julian Assange, WikiLeaks published the Bank Julius Baer documents, footage of the Tibetan unrest, and a report on political killings in Kenya in collaboration with The Sunday Times.
In July 2009, Julian Assange released a full report from a British commission of inquiry into corruption in the Turks and Caicos Islands through WikiLeaks. The report, initially redacted and removed by the commission, detailed payments and secret loans from foreign property developers to senior politicians, including the former premier Michael Misick.
The Iraq War logs, published by WikiLeaks in 2010, included U.S. Army field reports up until 2009, documenting various aspects of the Iraq War.
Since 2009, Julian Assange was alleged to have attempted to recruit hackers and system administrators at conferences around the world, according to a new indictment filed against him in June 2020.
In 2009, Julian Assange won the Amnesty International New Media Award for his work on political killings in Kenya. The report led to increased public recognition of WikiLeaks and highlighted the moral dilemmas associated with exposing corruption.
By 2009, WikiLeaks had succeeded in exposing the powerful and advocating for freedom of speech, attracting media support. However, Assange's idea of crowd-sourcing document analysis was unsuccessful, and few leaks attracted mainstream media attention.
In March 2010, Julian Assange, using the handle 'Ox,' communicated with Chelsea Manning via text chat as she submitted leaks to WikiLeaks. The U.S. cited these chat logs in its 2018 indictment of Assange.
In April 2010, WikiLeaks released video footage of a 2007 Baghdad airstrike titled 'Collateral Murder,' showing U.S. soldiers fatally shooting 18 civilians, including Reuters journalists Namir Noor-Eldeen and Saeed Chmagh. The video was first presented at the U.S. National Press Club.
In July 2010, WikiLeaks published the Afghan War logs, a six-year archive of classified military documents revealing a grim picture of the Afghan war.
In August 2010, Julian Assange faced legal proceedings in the United Kingdom regarding a requested extradition to Sweden for a preliminary investigation into accusations of sexual offences that were made while he was visiting Sweden.
In August 2010, Julian Assange gave Guardian journalist David Leigh an encryption key and a URL to access the full file of leaked U.S. diplomatic cables.
On 27 September 2010, Julian Assange left Sweden for the UK and was arrested in his absence the same day. He was suspected of rape of a lesser degree, unlawful coercion, and multiple cases of sexual molestation.
On 18 October 2010, Julian Assange's request for a Swedish residency permit was denied because his application failed to fulfill all the requirements.
In October 2010, WikiLeaks released the Iraq War logs, comprising 391,832 U.S. Army field reports from 2004 to 2009. Assange hoped the publication would correct the misinformation propagated before, during, and after the war.
In November 2010, it was reported that Julian Assange had considered seeking refuge in Russia. This led to Russia issuing him a visa in January 2011, although WikiLeaks denied he applied for it.
In November 2010, WikiLeaks released a quarter of a million U.S. diplomatic cables, known as the 'Cablegate' files. The documents revealed U.S. espionage, tensions with allies, and global corruption, contributing to the Arab Spring.
In November 2010, US Attorney-General Eric Holder announced an active, ongoing criminal investigation into WikiLeaks. It was revealed that WikiLeaks was being investigated by a federal grand jury in Alexandria, Virginia, and the US administration urged allies to open criminal investigations of Julian Assange.
In November 2010, Sweden issued a European arrest warrant for Julian Assange for questioning in an investigation. This marked the beginning of a prolonged legal battle for Assange.
On 18 November 2010, Marianne Ny ordered the detention of Julian Assange on suspicion of rape, three cases of sexual molestation, and unlawful coercion. The Stockholm District Court issued a European Arrest Warrant to execute it, which was upheld by the Svea Court of Appeal but with reduced charges.
On 30 November 2010, Interpol posted a Red Notice and put Julian Assange on its most-wanted list.
In December 2010, Guatemalan human rights lawyer Renata Avila suggested in a letter that Julian Assange should plan to escape and repay his supporters who had posted bail.
In December 2010, PostFinance closed Julian Assange's Swiss bank account, alleging he provided false information regarding his place of residence. WikiLeaks claimed the account closure was part of a broader banking blockade against them.
In December 2010, WikiLeaks supporters disseminated encrypted files to mirror sites after WikiLeaks experienced cyber-attacks. This led to a series of events compromising the security of the files.
On 7 December 2010, Julian Assange was arrested by officers from the Metropolitan Police Extradition Unit at Scotland Yard and remanded to Wandsworth Prison. He refused to cooperate with standard British procedures for collecting photographs, fingerprints, and DNA samples. On 16 December, he was granted bail under specific conditions.
In 2010, WikiLeaks, under the editorial leadership of Julian Assange, published a series of significant leaks provided by US Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning. These leaks included footage of a US airstrike in Baghdad, military logs from the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, and US diplomatic cables, bringing Assange into the global spotlight.
In 2010, the FBI informed a lawyer for Julian Assange that he wasn't the subject of an investigation. However, the NSA added Assange to its Manhunting Timeline, an annual account of efforts to capture or kill alleged terrorists and others.
In 2010, Julian Assange secured a deal for his autobiography worth at least $1.3 million, marking a significant milestone in his career.
In 2010, Julian Assange identified as a libertarian and stated that WikiLeaks was designed to make capitalism more free and ethical by exposing injustice.
In 2010, Julian Assange continued his work with WikiLeaks, traveling and coordinating efforts to publish classified media and leaks.
In January 2011, Julian Assange described the allegations that WikiLeaks conspired with Chelsea Manning as 'absolute nonsense', asserting that WikiLeaks only learned Manning's name from media reports.
In January 2011, Russia issued Julian Assange a visa following reports that he had considered seeking refuge there in November 2010.
In February 2011, David Leigh and Luke Harding of The Guardian published the encryption key in their book on WikiLeaks. Leigh believed the key was temporary and would expire within days.
On 25 August 2011, the German magazine Der Freitag published an article revealing details that enabled people to piece together the information to access the unredacted U.S. diplomatic cables.
In August 2011, WikiLeaks volunteer Sigurdur Thordarson contacted the FBI and became the first informant to work for the FBI from inside WikiLeaks, providing the FBI with several hard drives he had copied from Julian Assange and core WikiLeaks members.
In September 2011, Australia's attorney general, Robert McClelland, stated that the US diplomatic cables published by WikiLeaks identified at least one ASIO officer. Publishing such information could be a crime in Australia. McClelland indicated that previously WikiLeaks had redacted identifying features to avoid risks to individuals or national security, but this had not occurred with the documents released that week. This situation suggested that Julian Assange could face prosecution in Australia.
In September 2011, WikiLeaks announced it would make the unredacted U.S. diplomatic cables public and searchable after a series of events compromised their security.
In December 2011, prosecutors in the Chelsea Manning case revealed chat logs between Manning and someone they claimed was Julian Assange. Assange refuted the allegations, stating that WikiLeaks had no way of knowing the identity of its sources.
In 2011, Julian Assange wrote 'What's New About WikiLeaks?' and the foreword to his 2012 book 'Cypherpunks,' furthering his advocacy for transparency and privacy.
In 2011, Ian Hislop of Private Eye recounted a phone call from Julian Assange, who was angry about an article suggesting that Assange's associate in Russia, Israel Shamir, was a Holocaust denier. Assange accused British journalists of a Jewish-led conspiracy against WikiLeaks, which he later denied.
In 2011, Canongate Books published 'Julian Assange: The Unauthorised Autobiography.' Assange disavowed the book, claiming it was published against his wishes and was an uncorrected draft.
During the 2011 Egyptian revolution, Julian Assange and others at WikiLeaks hacked into Nortel to counteract Mubarak's attempts to shut down mobile phone networks.
In June 2012, after losing his appeal against the European arrest warrant, Julian Assange breached bail and took refuge in the Embassy of Ecuador in London. This move was driven by fears of extradition to the United States.
On 19 June 2012, Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Ricardo Patiño announced that Julian Assange had applied for political asylum and was at the Ecuadorian embassy in London. The embassy converted an office into a studio apartment equipped with various amenities for Assange. He was confined to a small area and had limited options for food and movement.
In June 2012, the UK government informed Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Ricardo Patiño that police were authorized to enter the Ecuadorian embassy and arrest Julian Assange. Metropolitan Police officers were stationed outside the embassy from June 2012 to October 2015 to arrest Assange if he left the embassy and attend an extradition appeal hearing.
In June 2012, at Julian Assange's request, the Ecuadorian embassy staff removed the toilet in the women's bathroom so he could use the quiet room for sleeping and meeting with his lawyers.
On 16 August 2012, Ecuador announced it was granting Julian Assange political asylum due to threats from a US investigation. Ecuador stated that Assange's defense of freedom of expression put him at risk, allowing him to stay at the embassy indefinitely. In December, Assange mentioned feeling freer in the embassy despite his confinement.
In August 2012, Julian Assange was granted asylum by Ecuador on the grounds of political persecution and the fear of extradition to the United States.
In 2012, diplomatic cables between Australia and the United States were released, showing that the US government was investigating Julian Assange and considering a broad range of charges, including espionage and conspiracy.
In 2012, documents provided by Edward Snowden revealed that the New Zealand government was working on a secret mass surveillance program called "Operation Speargun."
In 2012, Ken Day, the former head of the Australian Federal Police computer crime team, stated that there was no evidence that Assange's group had hacked MILNET. He also mentioned that Assange might still be liable to prosecution if it could be proven.
In 2012, Julian Assange published the book Cypherpunks: Freedom and the Future of the Internet. In it, he outlined his fundamental principle: privacy for the weak and transparency for the powerful. He advocated for the use of encryption by individuals to protect against government and corporate intrusions and by states to defend against Western imperialism.
In 2012, Julian Assange hosted the World Tomorrow show, which was broadcast by the Russian network RT. He also published short pieces and contributed research to various works, including Suelette Dreyfus's 'Underground' (1997) and the song 'Multi Viral' (2013) by Calle 13.
In 2012, Colin Robinson, co-publisher of Assange's book 'Cypherpunks,' criticized O'Hagan's ghostwriting account for focusing on Assange's character flaws rather than the significant issues Assange highlighted.
In June 2013, The New York Times reported that Julian Assange was being examined by a grand jury and several government agencies, including the FBI.
In June-July 2013, during Chelsea Manning's court-martial, chat logs were presented as evidence. The prosecution argued they showed WikiLeaks helping Manning, although Manning stated she acted alone.
In July 2013, Julian Assange and WikiLeaks helped Edward Snowden flee from US law enforcement. After Snowden's passport was canceled, stranding him in Russia, they discussed transporting him to South America on a presidential jet. However, Bolivia's presidential jet was forced to land in Austria due to US pressure, revealing the extent of US influence.
In 2013, the WikiLeaks Party experienced internal dissent over governance and electoral tactics, including a controversial preference deal. Leaked emails revealed Julian Assange's involvement in the deal and his attempts to centralize decision-making.
In 2013, Julian Assange stood for the Australian Senate and launched the WikiLeaks Party. However, he failed to secure a seat in the Senate.
In 2013, further documents from Edward Snowden showed that the New Zealand government's "Operation Speargun" surveillance program targeted Julian Assange.
In 2013, Julian Assange stood for the Australian Senate in Victoria and launched the WikiLeaks Party. He did not win a seat but cited Prime Minister Julia Gillard's attacks on WikiLeaks as a motivation for his candidacy. Assange claimed his Senate campaign aimed to end US and UK investigations against him.
In 2013, Julian Assange received a co-writer credit for the song 'Multi Viral' by Calle 13, showcasing his influence on popular culture and media.
In 2013, Julian Assange claimed to be the 'number three' hacker in the world, highlighting his skills and reputation in the hacking community.
After the 2013 election, Julian Assange considered running for Senate again and announced plans for the WikiLeaks Party to continue. However, the party was deregistered in 2015 due to low membership. Assange also faced issues with blocked donations from the Bank of America.
In May 2014, court documents suggested that WikiLeaks was under 'active and ongoing' investigation.
On 15 September 2014, while campaigning for Kim Dotcom, Julian Assange appeared via remote video link at a town hall meeting in Auckland. He discussed the New Zealand government's secret mass surveillance program, "Operation Speargun," and claimed the program targeted him.
In November 2014, a UC Global report indicated that Julian Assange was allegedly intercepting information from the Ecuadorian embassy and its personnel. The report stated that a briefcase with a listening device was found in a room occupied by Assange, suggesting he might be eavesdropping on diplomatic staff. Assange was evasive when questioned about the incident by Ambassador FalconĂ.
In 2014, WikiLeaks published information about political bribery allegations, violating a gag order in Australia. Media lawyer Peter Bartlett mentioned that WikiLeaks was outside Australia's jurisdiction, but if Julian Assange returned to Australia, he could be charged with breaking the suppression order.
In 2014, Julian Assange planned to stand for a special election in Western Australia, but the Australian Electoral Commission ruled him ineligible.
In 2014, Andrew O'Hagan wrote about his experience as Julian Assange's ghostwriter, revealing that Assange was reluctant to complete the book and struggled with the narrative of his life.
In 2014, Julian Assange published 'When Google Met WikiLeaks,' detailing his meeting with Google CEO Eric Schmidt while on bail in rural Norfolk, UK. Excerpts were published on Newsweek's website, and Assange engaged in a Q&A on Reddit.
In May 2015, then Ecuadorian ambassador to the UK, Juan Falconà Puig, became aware of the surveillance operation at the embassy only after receiving a bill. Former Ecuadorian foreign minister Ricardo Patiño explained the situation to the ambassador, revealing that the surveillance was ordered by the former Ecuadorian ambassador in London, Carlos Abad.
On 3 July 2015, Julian Assange wrote an open letter to French President François Hollande, published in Le Monde, urging France to grant him refugee status. Hollande declined the request, stating that Assange's situation did not present an immediate danger.
By July 2015, WikiLeaks had published over ten million documents and associated analyses. Julian Assange described it as 'a giant library of the world's most persecuted documents.'
On 12 August 2015, Swedish prosecutors announced that the statute of limitations had expired for three of the allegations against Julian Assange while he was in the Ecuadorian embassy.
In October 2015, the Metropolitan Police Service withdrew officers stationed outside the Ecuadorian embassy due to cost, after spending ÂŁ12.6 million. However, they stated they would still use various tactics to arrest Julian Assange.
In 2015, the WikiLeaks Party was deregistered due to low membership. Additionally, Assange reported that Bank of America blocked donations he attempted to make to the party.
In 2015, Julian Assange revealed in an open letter to French President Hollande that he had another child. He noted that this child, his youngest, was French, as was the child's mother. He also mentioned that his family faced death threats and harassment due to his work, leading them to change their identities and reduce contact with him.
In 2015, Julian Assange began a relationship with Stella Moris, his South African-born lawyer. Their relationship would later become public due to concerns for Assange's safety.
In 2015, Bolivian ambassador to Russia Maria Luisa Ramos accused Julian Assange of endangering President Evo Morales' life during the 2013 incident involving Snowden. Assange expressed regret but highlighted the unpredictable actions of other countries.
During the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign in February 2016, Julian Assange criticized Hillary Clinton, stating that she lacked judgment and would push the US into endless wars. He also rejected a request from Cambridge Analytica to release missing Clinton emails.
In a July 2016 interview, Julian Assange hinted that DNC staffer Seth Rich might have been the source of the DNC emails and suggested his murder was related. WikiLeaks offered a $20,000 reward for information about Rich's murder while stating that their offer should not imply Rich was their source.
On 22 July 2016, WikiLeaks released emails and documents from the Democratic National Committee (DNC). The release suggested DNC favoritism towards Hillary Clinton and led to the resignation of DNC chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz. Assange timed the release to coincide with the Democratic National Convention.
In September 2016, WikiLeaks tweeted that Julian Assange would agree to US extradition if President Obama granted Chelsea Manning clemency. This offer was reiterated in January 2017, but Assange later retreated from it, claiming the conditions were not fully met.
Following the 2016 US presidential election, there was significant debate surrounding Julian Assange's motives and his ties to Russia. This period was marked by intense scrutiny and controversy regarding his actions and affiliations.
In January 2017, following President Obama's commutation of Chelsea Manning's sentence, Julian Assange reiterated his offer to agree to US extradition under certain conditions. Despite Obama's statement that Assange's offer was not a factor, Assange maintained his willingness to comply if his rights were respected.
In March 2017, WikiLeaks began releasing Vault 7, the largest leak of CIA documents in history, detailing the CIA's hacking capabilities. Following the leak, CIA director Mike Pompeo labeled WikiLeaks a 'non-state hostile intelligence service.'
In April 2017, US officials were preparing to file formal charges against Julian Assange. His indictment was unsealed in 2019 and expanded later that year and in 2020.
On 19 May 2017, Julian Assange appeared on the balcony of the Ecuadorian embassy and stated that despite no longer facing a Swedish sex investigation, he would remain in the embassy to avoid extradition to the United States.
On 19 May 2017, Swedish authorities dropped the rape investigation against Julian Assange due to his asylum in the Ecuadorian embassy.
On 6 June 2017, Julian Assange expressed support for NSA leaker Reality Winner, who had been arrested three days earlier, by tweeting in favor of non-elite sources communicating knowledge.
In August 2017, Julian Assange became significantly involved in the Catalonia independence movement. He was seen as the chief international spokesman for the movement and was responsible for over 25% of Twitter traffic under the hashtag #Catalonia before the 2017 referendum. Assange disseminated messages and disinformation supporting the movement, despite being forced to delete several misleading images he shared on Twitter.
On 16 August 2017, US Republican congressman Dana Rohrabacher visited Julian Assange and offered a pardon on behalf of President Trump in exchange for Assange's statement that Russia was not involved in the 2016 DNC email leaks. This offer was later denied by both Trump and Rohrabacher.
In November 2017, Julian Assange met with key supporters of the Catalonia independence movement, Oriol Soler and Arnau Grinyó. This meeting caused backlash from the Spanish government, which accused Assange of spreading information that was 'at odds with reality'. The Ecuadorian government also warned Assange against commenting on other countries’ policies.
In November 2017, WikiLeaks asked Donald Trump Jr. to share a tweet with a fabricated quote allegedly from Hillary Clinton about Julian Assange. They also requested that President-elect Trump push for Assange to be appointed as ambassador to the US.
In December 2017, Ecuador granted Julian Assange citizenship and approved a special designation for him to perform functions at the Ecuadorian Embassy in Russia with a monthly salary of $2,000. However, Britain's Foreign Office did not recognize Assange as a diplomat, denying him any privileges and immunities under the Vienna Convention.
In December 2017, Spanish Foreign Minister Alfonso Dastis accused Julian Assange of trying to interfere and manipulate in Catalonia. Assange defended himself by stating that he had no position on the referendum's outcome but believed in Catalans' right to self-determination. His actions, including providing secure communication instructions, led to concerns in Ecuador, which subsequently cut off his internet and visitor access.
In December 2017, new CCTV cameras with microphones were installed in the Ecuadorian embassy where Julian Assange was granted asylum. Without the Ecuadorian security service's knowledge, UC Global employees recorded Assange's daily activities and interactions, even placing microphones in fire extinguishers and the women’s bathroom. The United States Central Intelligence Agency had access to these recordings.
In 2017, Julian Assange asserted that WikiLeaks had a perfect record and criticized mainstream journalists, claiming only 2 percent were credible.
In 2017, Julian Assange and Stella Moris got engaged and welcomed their first son. This marked the beginning of their family life under intense public scrutiny.
In January 2018, Julian Assange sent messages to a Twitter account impersonating Fox News host Sean Hannity, offering 'news' on Mark Warner, a senior Democrat senator investigating Trump-Russia links. Assange suggested contacting him through 'other channels'.
In February 2018, Julian Assange launched two legal actions to argue that Britain should drop its arrest warrant for him, as it was no longer proportionate and had lost its purpose. Senior District Judge Emma Arbuthnot ruled that the arrest warrant should remain in place.
In March 2018, Julian Assange used social media to criticize Germany's arrest of Catalonian separatist leader Carles Puigdemont. He also warned that Britain was about to conduct a propaganda war against Russia regarding the poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Skripal. Ecuador responded by cutting Assange's internet connection, claiming he had broken a commitment not to interfere with other states.
In May 2018, The Guardian reported that Ecuador had devised plans to help Julian Assange escape should British police enter the embassy to seize him.
In July 2018, President Moreno of Ecuador stated that he was in discussions with the British government on how to end Julian Assange's asylum while ensuring his safety.
On 11 October 2018, Ecuador partially restored Julian Assange's communications. On 16 October 2018, members of the US House Committee on Foreign Affairs described Assange as a dangerous criminal in an open letter to President Moreno, linking progress in US-Ecuador relations to Assange being handed over to authorities.
On 19 October 2018, Julian Assange sued the Ecuadorian government for violating his fundamental rights and freedoms. He claimed that Ecuador had threatened to remove his protection and cut off his access to the outside world, while also refusing him visits from journalists and human rights organizations. An Ecuadorian judge ruled against him.
On 21 December 2018, the UN's Working Group on Arbitrary Detention urged the UK to allow Julian Assange to leave the embassy freely.
In 2018, the U.S. referred to chat logs between Julian Assange and Chelsea Manning in the indictment of Assange, identifying him as 'Ox' from the chats.
In 2018, a US indictment was sealed against Julian Assange, charging him with conspiracy to commit computer intrusion. This charge was related to his involvement with Chelsea Manning and WikiLeaks, and was revealed following his arrest in April 2019.
In February 2019, the Geneva parliament passed a motion demanding that the Swiss government extend asylum to Julian Assange.
In March 2019, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights rejected Julian Assange's complaint against the Ecuadorian government, which sought to ease conditions imposed on his embassy residence and protect him from US extradition.
Since his arrest on 11 April 2019, Julian Assange has been incarcerated in HM Prison Belmarsh in London.
On 11 April 2019, Ecuador revoked Julian Assange's asylum, leading to his arrest for failing to appear in court. He was carried out of the Ecuadorian Embassy by members of the London Metropolitan Police. Following his arrest, the US revealed a previously sealed 2018 indictment charging Assange with conspiracy to commit computer intrusion related to his involvement with Chelsea Manning and WikiLeaks.
On 11 April 2019, Julian Assange's asylum was withdrawn by Ecuador following disputes with Ecuadorian authorities. Subsequently, the police were invited into the embassy, and Assange was arrested. He was found guilty of breaching the Bail Act and sentenced to 50 weeks in prison.
On 2 May 2019, the first hearing in London regarding the US request for Julian Assange's extradition was held. When asked by Judge Snow whether he consented to extradition, Assange replied that he did not wish to surrender for doing journalism that had won many awards and protected many people.
On 9 May 2019, Nils Melzer, the United Nations special rapporteur on Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, visited Julian Assange in prison. Melzer concluded that Assange showed symptoms typical of prolonged psychological torture, including extreme stress, chronic anxiety, and intense psychological trauma. The British government disagreed with some of Melzer's observations.
In May 2019, the Swedish Prosecution Authority reopened the investigation against Julian Assange and expressed their intent to extradite him from the UK after he served his sentence for skipping bail.
In May 2019, the U.S. government unsealed a new indictment against Julian Assange, charging him with violating the Espionage Act of 1917, which added to his ongoing legal challenges.
On 23 May 2019, a US grand jury added 17 espionage charges against Julian Assange, related to his involvement with Chelsea Manning. This brought the total federal charges against Assange in the US to 18.
In June 2019, the Uppsala District Court denied a request to detain Julian Assange, preventing his extradition to Sweden.
On 20 June 2019, El Pais revealed the existence of surveillance recordings and reports about Julian Assange by UC Global. This report brought to light the extent of surveillance Assange was under while at the Ecuadorian Embassy.
On 7 August 2019, Spain's High Court opened proceedings inquiring into the surveillance of Julian Assange following his complaint against UC Global. Assange accused the company of violating his privacy and client-attorney privileges, as well as committing misappropriation, bribery, and money laundering.
On 13 September 2019, District Judge Vanessa Baraitser ruled that Julian Assange would not be released on 22 September when his prison term ended because he was considered a flight risk. His status would change from a serving prisoner to a person facing extradition.
On 21 October 2019, Julian Assange appeared for a case management hearing at the court. When Judge Baraitser asked about his understanding of the proceedings, Assange replied.
On 1 November 2019, Nils Melzer, the UN special rapporteur on Torture, stated that Julian Assange's health had continued to deteriorate and that his life was at risk. He criticized the UK government for not acting on the issue.
On 19 November 2019, the Swedish prosecution dropped the case against Julian Assange because the evidence had weakened considerably due to the long period that had elapsed.
On 30 December 2019, Nils Melzer accused the UK government of torturing Julian Assange, stating that his continued exposure to severe mental and emotional suffering amounted to psychological torture or other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment.
Towards the end of 2019, Judge Emma Arbuthnot, who had presided over several of Julian Assange's extradition hearings, withdrew from the case citing a 'perception of bias' after reports revealed her family's connections to intelligence services and defense industries. Vanessa Baraitser was appointed as the new presiding judge.
In 2019, Julian Assange and Stella Moris had their second son. The couple continued to face challenges while raising their children due to Assange's legal troubles.
In 2019, after Julian Assange's arrest, a debate erupted among journalists and commentators regarding whether Assange should be considered a journalist. This event highlighted the polarized views on his work and its implications for press freedom.
In 2019, Julian Assange was awarded the Dignity Prize by the Catalan Dignity Commission for his efforts in highlighting the misreporting of events and broadcasting live updates on the peaceful Catalan protesters and the Spanish police's crackdown.
In early 2019, the Mueller report indicated that the Special Counsel's office considered charging WikiLeaks or Julian Assange as conspirators in a computer-intrusion conspiracy, and that there were ongoing investigations by the US Attorney's Office.
In 2019, The New York Times' Editorial Board and other prominent figures, including Kenneth Roth, executive director of Human Rights Watch, and Reporters Without Borders, warned against the prosecution of Julian Assange. They highlighted concerns that the prosecution could threaten global media freedom and the First Amendment. Roth emphasized that Britain's stance was crucial in preventing a major threat to media freedom worldwide.
In 2019, Julian Assange's indictment was unsealed, and prosecutors likely accelerated the case due to the impending statute of limitations on Assange's largest leaks.
In 2019, Swedish prosecutors dropped their investigation into Julian Assange, which had been a significant legal challenge for him since 2010.
In January 2020, Julian Assange was awarded the 2019 Dignity Prize by the Catalan Dignity Commission. The award recognized his efforts to correct misreporting of events and provide live video updates on the peaceful Catalan protests and the Spanish police's brutal crackdown.
In February 2020, the court heard legal arguments from Julian Assange's lawyers, who contended that he had been charged with political offenses and therefore could not be extradited. The hearings were delayed due to requests for extra time from both the prosecution and defense, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic.
On 17 February 2020, Australian MPs Andrew Wilkie and George Christensen visited Julian Assange and urged the UK and Australian governments to intervene and prevent his extradition. Concerns about Assange's health and detention conditions were raised by members of the medical profession who signed petitions on his behalf.
In March 2020, the International Bar Association's Human Rights Institute condemned the mistreatment of Julian Assange during his extradition trial.
On 25 March 2020, Julian Assange was denied bail after Judge Baraitser rejected his lawyers' argument that his imprisonment would put him at high risk of contracting COVID-19. The judge cited Assange's past conduct as evidence of his willingness to go to great lengths to avoid extradition.
In June 2020, the U.S. government unsealed another indictment against Julian Assange, alleging that he had conspired with hackers, further complicating his legal situation.
On 25 June 2020, a new indictment was filed against Julian Assange, alleging that since 2009 he had attempted to recruit hackers and system administrators at conferences around the world. The indictment described Assange's efforts to recruit system administrators, his and WikiLeaks' role in helping Snowden flee the US, and the exploitation of vulnerabilities in the US Congress' system.
On 7 September 2020, Julian Assange appeared in court facing an espionage indictment with 18 counts. Judge Baraitser denied motions by Assange's barristers to dismiss the new charges or to adjourn for better response. During the hearing, Assange interrupted the US government's lawyer, shouting 'this is nonsense', for which he was warned by the judge.
In September 2020, an open letter supporting Julian Assange was sent to Boris Johnson. It was signed by the Presidents of Argentina and Venezuela along with approximately 160 other politicians, advocating for Assange's fair treatment.
In December 2020, German human rights commissioner Bärbel Kofler and UN special rapporteur on torture Nils Melzer raised concerns about Assange's physical and mental health, urging the UK to consider these factors before deciding on his extradition.
In 2020, during Julian Assange's extradition hearings, it was revealed that the U.S. Information Review Task Force (IRTF) found no examples of individuals who lost their lives due to WikiLeaks publications, though some sources disappeared.
In 2020, during his extradition hearings, Julian Assange's defense team alleged in court that the pardon offer made by Dana Rohrabacher in 2017 was done on instructions from President Trump. Both Trump and Rohrabacher denied these claims.
In 2020, the indictment against Julian Assange was further expanded.
In 2020, Stella Moris revealed her relationship with Julian Assange to the public because she feared for his life. This disclosure brought their private life into the spotlight.
On 4 January 2021, Judge Baraitser ruled that Julian Assange could not be extradited to the United States due to concerns about his mental health and the risk of suicide in a US prison. The judge sided with the US on all other points, including whether the charges constituted political offenses and whether he was entitled to freedom of speech protections.
On 6 January 2021, Julian Assange was denied bail on the grounds that he was a flight risk, pending an appeal by the United States. US prosecutors appealed against the denial of extradition on 15 January.
In January 2021, Justice Swift denied Julian Assange permission to challenge a ruling by Judge Baraitser.
In January 2021, Julian Assange challenged District Judge Vanessa Baraitser's decision with new evidence.
In June 2021, Icelandic newspaper Stundin published an interview with Sigurdur Ingi Thordarson, a key witness in the U.S. case against Julian Assange. Thordarson admitted to fabricating allegations used in the indictment. His testimony was originally used to provide information on Assange's contact with Chelsea Manning.
In July 2021, Julian Assange's Ecuadorian citizenship was revoked over unpaid fees and inconsistencies in his naturalization papers. Ecuador's Foreign Ministry stated that the decision followed due process, but Assange's lawyer argued that it was made without proper legal procedures.
In July 2021, the Biden administration assured the Crown Prosecution Services that Julian Assange would not be subject to Special Administrative Measures (SAMs) or imprisoned at ADX unless he did something subsequent to warrant such measures. The U.S. also agreed to allow Assange to be transferred to Australia to serve any custodial sentence. However, an Amnesty International expert criticized these assurances as unreliable.
In August 2021, Lord Justice Holroyde of the High Court ruled that the defence's expert witness may have provided a misleading report on Julian Assange's mental health. The court granted permission for the contested risk of suicide to be raised on appeal.
In October 2021, Julian Assange's lawyers introduced allegations that the CIA had plans to kidnap or assassinate him during a High Court hearing in London. This was part of the U.S. appeal against a lower court's decision preventing Assange's extradition.
In October 2021, the High Court held a two-day appeal hearing where the U.S. argued that Julian Assange's health issues were less severe than claimed. Assurances were given regarding his proposed treatment in custody, including an agreement to send him to Australia to serve his sentence. Assange's defense highlighted a Yahoo! News report alleging CIA plots against him. Assange suffered a mini-stroke during the hearing.
On 7 November 2021, Julian Assange and Stella Moris announced they were preparing legal action against Deputy UK Prime Minister Dominic Raab and Jenny Louis, the governor of Belmarsh Prison. They accused them of denying their human rights by blocking and delaying their marriage.
On 10 December 2021, the High Court ruled in favor of the United States, allowing Julian Assange's extradition. The case was remitted to Westminster Magistrates' Court to be sent to the Home Secretary for a final decision.
On 24 January 2022, Julian Assange was granted permission to petition the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom for an appeal hearing. However, in March 2022, the court refused the appeal, stating that Assange had not raised an arguable point of law.
On 9 February 2022, a non-fungible token (NFT) artwork called 'Clock,' created by Julian Assange in collaboration with Pak, was auctioned. The NFT, which updates daily to show how long Assange has been imprisoned, was bought by AssangeDAO for 16,593 ether, worth around $52.8 million at the time. The funds were raised to support Assange's legal defense.
On 23 March 2022, after overcoming legal challenges, Julian Assange and Stella Moris got married in Belmarsh Prison. This event marked a significant milestone in their personal life amidst ongoing struggles.
On 20 April 2022, Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring formally approved Julian Assange's extradition to the U.S. and referred the decision to the Home Secretary.
On 17 June 2022, Home Secretary Priti Patel approved the extradition of Julian Assange to the United States.
On 1 July 2022, Julian Assange lodged an appeal against his extradition in the High Court.
On 22 August 2022, Assange's legal team submitted a Perfected Grounds of Appeal before the High Court, challenging a previous decision with new evidence.
On 13 December 2022, the European Court of Human Rights declared Julian Assange's appeal inadmissible.
In 2022, the incoming Australian Labor government led by Anthony Albanese indicated opposition to the continued prosecution of Julian Assange. They planned to use quiet diplomacy to prevent it.
In 2022, four associates of Julian Assange filed a lawsuit against the CIA, alleging their civil rights were violated when they were recorded as part of the surveillance of Assange. This lawsuit was a significant development in the ongoing legal battles surrounding Assange.
In 2022, Spanish courts summoned former CIA director Mike Pompeo to testify regarding the alleged plans to kidnap or assassinate Julian Assange, which were discussed after the Vault 7 leaks.
In 2022, Home Secretary Priti Patel signed the extradition order for Julian Assange.
In April 2023, European unions and associations of journalists from several countries granted Julian Assange honorary membership. They also appealed to US and UK authorities to release Assange and drop all charges, expressing concerns about media freedom and journalists' rights.
In May 2023, Julian Assange's lawyers expressed openness to a plea deal, emphasizing that no crime had been committed and the facts did not support a charge.
In May 2023, Julian Assange wrote a letter to King Charles III, describing himself as a political prisoner and requesting the King visit him in prison.
In June 2023, The Age reported that the FBI sought new evidence in the case against Julian Assange, based on a request to interview Andrew O'Hagan, who refused to provide a witness statement.
On 6 June 2023, the High Court in London dismissed Julian Assange's appeal. Justice Jonathan Swift ruled that none of the grounds of appeal raised any properly arguable point.
In July 2023, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken rejected the Australian government's position on Assange's prosecution, emphasizing that Assange faced serious charges.
On 14 August 2023, the Sydney Morning Herald reported that US Ambassador to Australia Caroline Kennedy had suggested a possible plea deal for Julian Assange.
In December 2023, a judge ruled that the lawsuit against the CIA filed by Julian Assange's associates could proceed, rejecting the CIA's motion to dismiss. However, the judge trimmed the scope of the suit by rejecting some portions.
In December 2023, writer Charles Glass visited Julian Assange in HM Prison Belmarsh and noted that Assange appeared pale. Assange mentioned that he had accumulated 232 books while in prison.
In what was described as a "last-ditch" effort, a two-day hearing in the High Court began on 20 February 2024, with Julian Assange too ill to attend. His legal team requested leave to appeal the extradition order signed by Home Secretary Priti Patel in 2022.
On 14 February 2024, the Australian House of Representatives passed a motion introduced by independent MP Andrew Wilkie, calling for Julian Assange's immediate release and return to Australia. The motion was supported by 86 to 42 votes, with backing from Prime Minister Albanese, his party, and parliament crossbenchers.
In 2024, The Guardian opposed Julian Assange's extradition, calling it a threat to journalism with global implications. Amnesty International's Simon Crowther warned that Assange's extradition would endanger journalists worldwide. Large political rallies in London, Rome, Brussels, and Berlin protested his extradition. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also expressed support for Assange during his appeal's consideration by the High Court.