Inside the courtroom, Assange mounts one final fight against the US justice system

North Asia Correspondent James Orton ABC TV in Saipan

Julian Assange Released after pleading guilty to one count of espionage in U.S. federal court as part of a plea agreement with prosecutors.

But inside the room, he made one final act of defiance.

The tension was palpable as the chief justice entered the U.S. federal courthouse in the Northern Mariana Islands, deep in the Pacific Ocean.

After more than a decade of high-profile legal battles and heated debates surrounding the publication of highly sensitive material, one of the year’s biggest cases is about to be resolved in a little-known U.S. territory.

Because the matter was little known, a U.S. federal judge felt it necessary to deal with it in court.

“A lot of people don’t realize we are part of the United States, but it is a fact,” said Chief Justice Ramona V Manglona.

Assange faces one count of conspiracy to obtain and disclose national defense information, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

When asked if he was willing to plead guilty, Julian Assange was direct and calm.

He said, “I plead guilty.”

In the end, the judge made the decision that everyone expected.

Chief Judge Manglona said she would not accept the deal if Assange went on trial in 2012.

But over time, she accepted that his behavior had not caused her any physical harm and that he had Serving five years in one of Britain’s toughest prisons.

She sentenced Assange to time served, meaning he is now a free man.

“I hope you can start your new life in a positive way,” Chief Judge Manglona said.

After years of communicating through lawyers and advocates, Assange spoke about his case in his own words at the hearing.

He calmly and confidently told the court that his crime had strings attached and spoke of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which upholds free speech and a free press.

This is another act of contempt for the American judicial system in more than a decade.

Asked to explain his understanding of the charge, Assange told the court: “As a journalist, I encouraged my sources to provide allegedly confidential information in order to have it published.”

“I believe the First Amendment protects this activity.

“I think the First Amendment and the Espionage Act are at odds with each other.”

Outside the court, Jennifer Robinson, an Australian human rights lawyer and Assange’s longest-serving lawyer, said today was a “historic day.”

She said: “Julian Assange is free to go home.”

“This also brings to an end a case that has been considered the greatest threat to the First Amendment in the 21st century.

“Julian has a global movement behind him that defends free speech, and today’s result is only possible because of the support of that global movement.”

“This prosecution sets a dangerous precedent that should concern journalists around the world,” Robinson said.

“The United States is attempting to assert extraterritorial jurisdiction over all of you without affording you the protection of free speech that your Constitution provides.

“Anyone who cares about free speech and democratic accountability should oppose it.”

After the lawsuit ended, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a statement.

“Unlike Assange, who obtained classified documents from Chelsea Manning and made them public in redacted versions, and news organizations that published redacted versions of those documents, Assange and WikiLeaks released many of the original classified documents without removing any personally identifiable information,” the statement read.

“Specifically, in many cases, classified documents were released in their original or unredacted form … which placed individuals assisting the U.S. government at great personal risk.”

The department also confirmed that part of the plea agreement was that Assange could not enter the United States without permission.

Assange initially faced multiple charges for disclosing and publishing highly sensitive material that could have resulted in the 52-year-old being sentenced to up to 175 years in prison.

Under the terms of the plea agreement, by admitting one charge, Assange is now a free man and can return home – a relief for him, his family and his supporters.

Now, the bilateral difficulties between the United States and Australia are over.

Assange and WikiLeaks have long argued that disclosures of highly sensitive material are journalism in the public interest and protected by the U.S. Constitution.

His critics say he puts American lives at risk by posting unfiltered material online at will.

Even with his final defiance, Assange is now a convicted felon and has publicly acknowledged that his work — at least some of it — went beyond the norm.

How this will affect the future of journalism is one of the many unknowns surrounding the deal.

The High Commissioner and former Prime Minister are by his side

Assange arrived at the court in a white SUV, wearing a black suit and smiling as he passed security guards.

Accompanied by former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, he entered the US federal courthouse, a place he had tried to avoid for 14 years.

His expression was expectant – positive and ready for the legal formalities to begin.

He was supported by Stephen Smith, Australia’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, who accompanied him from the country.

At his side stood Robinson, who for years has represented Assange both legally and as a voice to politicians and the public, and who also walked into the courtroom with a palpable air of cautious optimism and a vague sense of relief that such a difficult job was about to end.

Inside the courtroom, Assange stood there as the Chief Judge entered the courtroom, his epic legal battle coming to an end.

During the hearing, WikiLeaks announced that Assange would leave US territory by plane shortly after the trial ended and arrive in Canberra before the end of the day.

The stop in the Northern Marianas was really just a detour on the way home, albeit one that would eventually lead to his freedom.

– This article was originally published by American Broadcasting Corporation.