WikiLeaks Founder Julian Assange to Be Sentenced
Assange to Appear in Court for Sentencing on Conspiracy Charge
Documents Filed in U.S. Federal Court in Saipan Reveal Guilty Plea
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is scheduled to appear in court in Saipan at 9 am on an undisclosed date for sentencing on a conspiracy charge. Assange is expected to plead guilty to one count of conspiring to obtain and disclose information related to the national defense of the United States.
The charge stems from Assange's alleged involvement in the 2010 leak of classified military and diplomatic documents by Chelsea Manning, a former U.S. Army intelligence analyst. The leak included hundreds of thousands of documents that were published by WikiLeaks and other media outlets.
Assange has been in custody since his arrest in London in 2019. He has been fighting extradition to the United States, where he faces multiple charges, including espionage. If convicted, Assange could face a maximum sentence of 62 months in prison.
The hearing in Saipan is expected to focus on the sentencing recommendation made by prosecutors. Assange's attorney is likely to argue for a reduced sentence, citing Assange's health problems and the fact that he has already spent several years in prison.
The outcome of the hearing will have a significant impact on Assange's future. If he is sentenced to a lengthy prison term, it could effectively end his career as a journalist and activist. However, if he receives a lighter sentence or is granted leniency, he could continue his work with WikiLeaks.
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