Assange pleaded guilty to a felony charge of violating the Espionage Act. His court hearing was held in Saipan, in the Northern Mariana Islands, a U.S. commonwealth.
Under the deal, Assange faces a sentence of 62 months, equivalent to the time he has already served in Britain. He is expected to be released and to return to Australia following the court proceeding.
The U.S. is hoping to extradite the WikiLeaks founder and try him for espionage. A court in London says Assange is free to appeal the extradition, the latest twist in years-long legal drama.
He spent seven years in the Ecuadorian Embassy and five years in prison, both in London. U.S. prosecutors want his next move to be to the U.S. But the High Court has delayed that.
Julian Assange's lawyers will begin their final U.K. legal challenge on Tuesday to stop the WikiLeaks founder from being sent to the United States to face spying charges.
A British judge on Wednesday formally approved the extradition of Julian Assange to the United States to face spying charges. The case will now go to Britain's interior minister for a decision.
Lawyers for the WikiLeaks founder have 14 days to submit their application to the U.K.'s Supreme Court, which will decide whether to hear the case. His supporters see the ruling as a partial win.
The WikiLeaks founder and attorney Stella Moris began a relationship after Assange took refuge in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London in 2012. They have two sons together.
The WikiLeaks founder took refuge for seven years inside the Ecuadorian Embassy in London. He was removed in April 2019 and imprisoned while he awaited a decision on his extradition.
