Julian Assange is entering a plea deal that will allow him to walk free and return to Australia after a 14-year legitimate epic on Wednesday as he is expected to enter a court on the island of Saipan.
WHERE IS SAIPAN?
The Northern Mariana Islands ( NMI ), a US commonwealth in the western Pacific, extends across 14 islands and begins roughly 70 kilometers ( 44 miles ) north of Guam.
The Northern Mariana Islands are not a condition, but like Guam and Puerto Rico, they are. People of the US are not able to cast ballots in presidential primaries. Critically, some, like Saipan, even host US city courts.
Assange will appear in court at 9 am local time on Wednesday ( 2300 GMT Tuesday )
WHY IS ASSANGE Going THERE?
Assange allegedly wanted to appear in court in Australia, but not in a country like the US, according to US prosecution.
Saipan has the advantage of being relatively close to Assange’s home of Australia, roughly 3, 000 km ( 1800 miles ) south. Hawaii is located more than twice as far away.
” He has to top up to claims that have been brought under US law”, said Emily Crawford, a professor at the University of Sydney’s law college.
It had to be US-based, but it also had to be the nation’s most affluent position, such as Hawaii.
SAIPAN AND THE UNITED STATES
Following the Battle of Saipan in 1944, the United States seized control of the island after it had previously been a settlement of Spain, Germany, and finally Japan.
After years under US power, citizens in 1975 voted to join the United States as a country.
The US House of Representatives elected a member for the first time in 2008, but the representative is not a member of Congress.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
According to US attorneys, Assange has agreed to enter a guilty plea to one legal count of obtaining and disclosing classified US national defense documents. He did serve 62 months in prison, which is already his previous sentence. Assange is anticipated to return to Australia after the reading if his plea is accepted, according to US prosecution.
