Julian Paul Assange is an Australian journalist, computer programmer, and the founder of WikiLeaks, an organization known for its involvement in the publication of classified government documents. Born on July 3, 1971, in Townsville, Queensland, Australia, Assange has been a prominent figure in the realms of journalism, free speech, and government transparency.

Assange's interest in computers and hacking began at an early age. In his teenage years, he adopted the pseudonym “Mendax” and was involved in hacking activities. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, he became part of the hacking subculture in Australia and developed an impressive skill set in programming and encryption. He later attended the University of Melbourne, where he studied physics, mathematics, and philosophy.

In 2006, Julian Assange co-founded WikiLeaks, a non-profit organization aimed at providing a platform for whistleblowers to leak sensitive government and corporate documents anonymously. WikiLeaks gained international recognition in 2010 when it released a trove of classified U.S. military documents and diplomatic cables, including the Iraq and Afghanistan war logs, provided by Chelsea Manning, a former U.S. Army intelligence analyst. The release of this information brought international attention and led to legal consequences for Assange.

Assange faced legal troubles in several countries, most notably in Sweden and the United States. In Sweden, he was accused of sexual misconduct, charges that he denied and claimed were politically motivated. He sought asylum in the Embassy of Ecuador in London in 2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden, staying there until his arrest in April 2019 (amost 7 years).

In the United States, Assange was indicted on multiple charges related to the unauthorized disclosure of classified information. The U.S. government accused him of conspiring with Chelsea Manning to obtain and publish classified documents. His extradition to the United States was sought, leading to a prolonged legal battle.

Assange's asylum ended in April 2019 when Ecuador revoked his asylum status, and British authorities arrested him. He was subsequently sentenced to 50 weeks in prison in the UK for breaching bail conditions. Extradition proceedings to the United States began, with allegations of conspiracy to commit computer intrusion and espionage.

In 2020, a UK court ruled against Assange's extradition to the United States on mental health grounds, expressing concerns about his well-being in U.S. custody. Assange had spent several years in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London and later in Belmarsh Prison, where his physical and mental health deteriorated.

Assange's legal battles have ignited debates surrounding freedom of the press, government secrecy, and the rights of whistleblowers. Supporters contend that he deserves protection as a journalist, emphasizing his crucial role in publishing war logs that exposed accounts of civilian casualties, friendly fire incidents, and other controversial events, thereby raising concerns about the conduct of military operations. Supporters view him as a champion of transparency and government accountability.

Julian Assange's actions with WikiLeaks have sparked debates about the balance between national security and press freedom.

Assange's legal battles have raised questions about the extradition process and the protection of whistleblowers in the digital age. His case has become a symbol of the tension between governments' desire to protect sensitive information and the public's right to access it.

Amnesty International has called for the United States to drop all charges against Julian Assange related to his publishing activities with WikiLeaks. They argue that pursuing Assange for publishing disclosed documents, including those that exposed potential war crimes, constitutes a severe infringement on freedom of expression. Assange is currently held in the UK, facing extradition to the USA, where he may be at risk of human rights violations, including torture and unfair trial. Amnesty contends that prosecuting Assange sets a dangerous precedent that could deter investigative journalism and harm freedom of expression. They urge individuals to sign a petition to protect these fundamental rights. ¹⁾