WikiLeaks’ Julian Assange says he pleaded ‘guilty to journalism’ in order to be freed

Associated Press

STRASBOURG, France (AP) — WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange says that he was freed because “I pled guilty to journalism.” In his first public remarks since he was released from prison in June, Assange testified Tuesday to the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly, which includes lawmakers from 46 European countries, on his detention and conviction. He was released in June after five years in a British prison after he pleaded guilty to obtaining and publishing U.S. military secrets in a deal with Justice Department prosecutors.