Four Members of the European Parliament from the Pirate Party, Stella Assange, and 41 EU lawmakers, among others, have signed an open letter to President Biden. They’re appealing for the pardon of Julian Assange, WikiLeaks co-founder, currently awaiting extradition to the US on charges of espionage and computer misuse.
Julian Assange and WikiLeaks have made significant contributions to investigative journalism over the past decade, revealing high-level corruption and abuses of power. The charges he faces prompt concerns about democratic governments criminalizing the exposure of truthful information.
Stella Assange, Julian’s wife, represented her husband at the European Parliament in Strasbourg this week. He is a nominee for the 2022 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. Together with the European Pirates and other signatories, she is urging President Biden to grant Julian Assange a pardon.
Comments from Pirate Party MEPs underscore the issue’s gravity. They emphasize the dangerous precedent Assange’s prosecution sets for journalism and the public’s right to know about state crimes. They also highlight the importance of defending freedom of expression and the role of whistleblowers in revealing essential truths.