On Wednesday, Julian Assange‘s lawyer responded to speculation about a potential plea deal following a Wall Street Journal report.
The report suggested that the U.S. Justice Department was exploring the option of allowing Assange to plead guilty to a reduced charge related to mishandling classified information. However, the Justice Department declined to comment on the matter.
Assange’s lawyer, Barry Pollack, stated that there was no indication of the case’s resolution. He emphasized that the U.S. was persistently seeking Assange’s extradition on all 18 charges, which could lead to a 175-year prison sentence if convicted.
Discussions about a plea deal between the Justice Department and Assange’s legal team were described as ongoing but uncertain.
Assange is currently fighting extradition from the UK to the U.S., where he faces charges related to the release of classified U.S. military records and diplomatic cables in 2010.
While Washington claims that Assange’s actions endangered lives, his supporters view him as a whistleblower who exposed U.S. wrongdoing in conflicts like those in Afghanistan and Iraq.
If extradited, Assange could face a lengthy prison sentence, sparking calls from various rights groups, media organizations, and world leaders to drop the charges against him. The situation remains tense, with Assange’s fate hanging in the balance amidst legal maneuvers and speculation about potential plea deals.
