Julian Assange Pleads Guilty to Espionage Charges

Founder of WikiLeaks Reaches Agreement with US Government

Assange Faces Reduced Sentence in Exchange for Guilty Plea

Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, has agreed to plead guilty to a single felony count of illegally obtaining and disclosing classified information. The plea deal was reached on Monday and is expected to end Assange's long legal battle with the US government.

As part of the deal, Assange will serve a reduced sentence of four to six years in prison. He will also be required to pay a fine of up to $500,000.

Assange was arrested in London in 2019 and has been held in custody since then. He has been charged with violating the US Espionage Act by obtaining and disclosing classified information. The charges stem from WikiLeaks' publication of US diplomatic cables and military documents in 2010.

The plea deal is a significant development in the case against Assange. It is expected to end his legal battle with the US government and allow him to return to Australia.