An anonymous Bitcoin whale donated approximately $500,000 in BTC to cover the cost of Julian Assange’s private jet flight from the UK to Australia.
Assange, the co-founder of WikiLeaks, returned to Australia after a high-profile plea deal with the U.S. government.
This substantial donation was a response to an emergency appeal posted by Assange’s wife, Stella Assange, on social media.
The plea deal and its implications
Assange secured his freedom by pleading guilty to espionage charges brought by the U.S. government, with his five years in a London prison being counted as time served.
Initially facing up to 170 years in an American prison, Assange’s plea deal reduced his sentence significantly. This agreement allowed for his immediate release, facilitating his return to Australia.
Emergency appeal and generous BTC donation
Stella Assange’s emergency appeal on social media highlighted the urgent need for funds to cover a USD 520,000 debt for Julian’s charter flight. Due to security concerns, Assange was not allowed to fly on commercial airlines.
The appeal provided links for donations via a British crowdfunding site and various cryptocurrency wallets, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Doge.
The Bitcoin wallet received 24 donations, with one significant donation of 8.07 Bitcoin, equivalent to approximately $500,000 at current prices.
This donation was nearly enough to cover the entire cost of Assange’s private flight.
Australian government support and Assange’s future
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed his support and relief at Assange’s safe return, emphasizing the importance of his reunion with his family.
Earlier tonight I was pleased to speak to Mr. Assange to welcome him home and had the opportunity to ask him about his health and have my first discussion with him.
Background of Assange’s legal troubles
Assange had been detained in London’s Belmarsh Prison for the past five years after being forcibly removed from the Ecuadorian embassy in 2019.
He had sought asylum in the embassy since 2012 to avoid extradition on sexual assault charges in Europe, which have since been dropped.
Assange has maintained that his legal issues are tied to his work with WikiLeaks, especially the publication of classified U.S. government documents.
In 2011, WikiLeaks released a video titled “Collateral Murder,” showing U.S. forces killing civilians, including two Reuters journalists in Iraq.
This publication brought significant attention and controversy, complicating Assange’s legal situation.
Assange’s court appearance and future plans
Assange appeared in U.S. federal court in Saipan, part of the American commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, where he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy.
Following the plea agreement, Assange’s plane landed in Canberra, Australia’s capital, where he was welcomed by supporters, including the Prime Minister.
While it remains uncertain whether Assange will resume his work with WikiLeaks, his immediate focus appears to be on recovery and reintegration into normal life.
The remaining funds from the emergency appeal will go towards Assange’s “recovery and well-being,” according to the crowdfunding campaign.
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