Until this week, he was one of America’s most wanted men. Now, Julian Assange has spent his first full day in Australia in 14 years. The 52- year-old still hasn’t said a word publicly, but that has not stopped supporters celebrating and critics suggesting Assange was wrongly feted on his homecoming.
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00:00There he is. The first sighting of a free man. Stepping off a private jet, across the
00:12cold Canberra tarmac and into the warm embrace of his wife, Stella, and father John.
00:19Julian Assange's brother in Paris, watching on live on the ABC.
00:22There he is. Welcome home Julian. Oh wow.
00:32Julian Assange, defiant despite his 14 year ordeal.
00:35It's a signal to everybody who's been fighting this that he's got to keep fighting.
00:40Whisked away, destination unknown.
00:43Congratulations Stella, how are you feeling?
00:45His wife and legal team fronting the welcome home party without the guest of honour.
00:49You have to understand what he's been through. He needs time. He needs to recuperate.
00:59Julian Assange did speak to one person.
01:01Julian thanked him and the team and told the Prime Minister that he had saved his life.
01:07The morning after that phone call, criticism it would be poorly received stateside.
01:12It was not necessary nor appropriate for Anthony Albanese to welcome home Julian Assange on the same day he's admitted to espionage acts.
01:21Canberra's men in London and Washington accompanying Julian Assange on his flight home.
01:26I had been the principal point of contact with the DOJ, the Department of Justice, kind of from the get go.
01:31And with Mr Assange's lawyers.
01:35So you were the linchpin.
01:37That's your term, not mine.
01:39While there have been some minor political skirmishes in Canberra about how Julian Assange's return has been handled,
01:45the overwhelming sense remains that his case has dragged on for far too long.
01:49But while the Assange legal team has made it clear they want to push for a presidential pardon in the future,
01:55that's not something the Albanese government would want to weigh in on.
01:59We've just negotiated the return of an Australian citizen from the most powerful country in the world,
02:04who we're prosecuting him for doing journalism.
02:08For now, the man in question is hoping to enjoy the simple things in life.
02:12Julian plans to swim in the ocean every day.
02:16But it's unlikely this is the last we'll hear of Julian Assange.