US Justice Department held plea deal discussions with Julian Assange
The United States Justice Department had preliminary discussions about a plea deal with Julian Assange at one point in the case against the 52-year-old Australian over his alleged mishandling of classified material, though a deal is neither imminent nor assured, according to a person briefed on the matter.
Such discussions are a routine feature of criminal cases, and there haven't been recent talks about a plea in the WikiLeaks founder's case.
There is not currently an official plea offer from US prosecutors, the source said.
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Julian Assange is facing extradition to the US and the prospect of 175 more years behind bars. 60 Minutes
"We have been given no indication that the Department of Justice intends to resolve the case, and the United States is continuing with as much determination as ever to seek his extradition on all 18 charges, exposing him to 175 years in prison," Barry Pollack, a lawyer for Assange, said.
The Justice Department declined to comment.
The Wall Street Journal first reported on the discussions.
Protesters in support of Julian Assange shout outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London on February 21, 2024. AP Photo/Kin Cheung
The case against Assange was unsealed in 2019 in Virginia in connection with the publication of thousands of documents containing military secrets and other sensitive information leaked by a US Army intelligence analyst.
Assange may soon have to face the US justice system and charges under the Espionage Act after years of him fighting extradition.
He is currently behind bars in the United Kingdom, awaiting a ruling on whether he will be allowed to appeal a UK decision to extradite him to the US.
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