In a world plagued by escalating conflicts and geopolitical crises, Julian Assange’s story stands as a powerful symbol of the fight for sovereignty, free speech, and press freedom. On October 1, 2024, Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, made his first significant public appearance after being released in June following 14 years of persecution by the American and British governments. His words at a hearing organized by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) carried deep implications for global justice, individual rights, and the dangerous precedents set by powerful states to silence dissent.

While Assange’s release marked a significant moment, his freedom is far from absolute. Rather than receiving true justice, he was forced into accepting a plea deal that required him to acknowledge guilt for crimes he didn’t commit. His freedom is conditional and incomplete, with legal barriers preventing him from holding those responsible for his persecution to account. As Assange stated in Strasbourg, he was forced to choose “freedom over unrealizable justice.” The terms of the plea deal prevent him from filing a case with the European Court of Human Rights or submitting a Freedom of Information Act request in the US, effectively insulating those responsible for his torment from any form of accountability.

Assange’s story is not merely one of personal suffering but a stark illustration of how powerful states act to suppress those who expose their wrongdoing. WikiLeaks, under Assange’s leadership, brought to light some of the most egregious aspects of US foreign policy, especially in the Middle East. The relentless persecution he has faced since is not just an attack on one man, but a direct assault on press freedom, dissent, and the sovereignty of nations that dare to challenge Washington’s overreach.

During the Council of Europe’s debate on Assange’s treatment, there was formal........

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