Julian Assange’s First Public Appearance After Release
Julian Assange, who was released from prison in June, made his first public appearance earlier this month. He addressed the legal affairs and human rights committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, France, where he provided testimony regarding the psychological impact of his imprisonment. The committee comprises lawmakers from 46 different European nations.
Assange’s Perspective on Freedom
In his address to the Council of Europe, Assange emphasized that his release did not come as a result of a functioning justice system. “I am free today because after years of incarceration, I pleaded guilty to journalism,” he stated. Assange elaborated, asserting that he accepted responsibility for seeking and obtaining information from a source and for sharing that information with the public.
Assange’s Incarceration Journey
From 2012 to 2017, Assange was granted asylum at the Ecuadorian Embassy in London. Following this period, he was incarcerated in a high-security prison in the UK from 2019 until his recent release in 2024. He described the effects of prolonged imprisonment, stating, “It strips away one’s sense of self, leaving only the raw essence of existence.” He expressed regret for his unrefined speech, admitting, “I’m not yet fully equipped to speak about what I have endured — the relentless struggle to stay alive, both physically and mentally.”
Council of Europe Report on Assange
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe released a report characterizing Assange as a “political prisoner” and voiced concerns regarding his treatment. They criticized the charges against him by the United States as being “disproportionate” and “severe.”
WikiLeaks and Bitcoin: A Financial Blockade
WikiLeaks began accepting Bitcoin in response to a financial blockade imposed by major global financial institutions. This blockade originated with PayPal, which initially stated it acted on a letter from the State Department before later clarifying that its decision was based on misleading information received from the government. Subsequently, other institutions, including Visa, MasterCard, and Bank of America, followed suit, citing their terms of service as justification for blocking donations to WikiLeaks.
Assange as a Target
Assange and WikiLeaks became targets of significant backlash after releasing over 250,000 classified U.S. State Department documents, which were provided by former Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning. The disclosures included revelations about CIA operations, including espionage on foreign leaders and infiltration of political parties.
International Reactions to the Blockade
The financial blockade against WikiLeaks drew condemnation from various international entities, including the UN High Commissioner and special rapporteurs focused on freedom of opinion and expression. Despite the U.S. State Department’s classification of WikiLeaks’ actions as illegal, the act of publishing classified documents is not considered unlawful in the United States, and no legal charges were brought against Assange.
A Legal Victory for WikiLeaks
WikiLeaks achieved a notable legal victory when the Reykjavík District Court in Iceland ruled against the financial blockade, mandating its removal within a two-week timeframe. Assange celebrated this decision, asserting, “This is a significant victory against Washington’s attempt to silence WikiLeaks. We will not be silenced. Economic censorship is censorship.”
Assange’s Views on Bitcoin and Blockchain
Assange views Bitcoin as a crucial innovation, recognizing the potential of blockchain technology beyond just cryptocurrency. He emerged from prison into a world marked by challenges such as lockdowns and inflation, while simultaneously noting a growing public awareness and acceptance of Bitcoin. Countries like Bhutan and El Salvador have adopted Bitcoin, and speculation about the U.S. following suit has intensified.
Blockchain’s Potential in Journalism
During a Reddit AMA, Assange discussed the transformative potential of blockchain technology in journalism. He expressed that blockchain could help preserve historical accuracy, stating, “Bitcoin’s real innovation is a globally verifiable proof publishing at a certain time.” He emphasized that the blockchain serves to secure historical records, countering the notion that those in power control the narrative of the past and future. Assange credited Bitcoin for enabling WikiLeaks to navigate the financial blockade imposed by U.S. banking institutions.
