WikiLeaks founder Assange set to testify before European legal committee

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is set to break his post-prison silence in 2024 October when he appears before a Council of Europe committee, the organization confirmed Wednesday.

Assange, who returned to Australia after his release from a British prison in June, will travel to Strasbourg to testify in person before the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights, WikiLeaks said. The committee has been examining his case, which has sparked significant debate over issues of free speech, investigative journalism, and national security.

Assange, 52, was released after serving a prison sentence related to the publication of hundreds of thousands of classified U.S. government documents through his website, WikiLeaks. His supporters view him as a hero of free speech, but his critics argue that the release of sensitive material endangered lives and compromised U.S. security.

Since his release, Assange has remained largely out of the public eye. After years spent holed up in the Ecuadorian embassy in London to avoid extradition, followed by time in Belmarsh Prison, Assange returned to Australia. His public appearances have been limited, with the most notable being his reunion with his wife, Stella Assange, at Canberra airport and a handful of family photos on a beach.

WikiLeaks and Stella Assange have occasionally provided updates on his health, with the organization stating Wednesday that “Julian Assange is still in recovery following his release from prison.”

The statement also highlighted the importance of Assange’s upcoming appearance, noting, “He is attending this session in person due to the exceptional nature of the invitation.”

The Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly is scheduled to debate a report on Assange’s case on October 2, with his testimony slated for the previous day. The Council of Europe, composed of 46 member states, is dedicated to promoting human rights and upholding the European Convention on Human Rights.

Assange was released after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to obtain and disseminate national defense information. His case has continued to attract global attention, and his upcoming appearance marks a significant step in his return to public life.