It’s now the calm after the storm on Saipan as WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange returned to his home country Australia late last night after his federal court hearing on Saipan.

“We are absolutely thrilled that Julian is now home in Australia,” said Jennifer Robinson, a Human Rights Lawyer. 

Overnight, the world’s focus shifted from Saipan to Australia. Hours after WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange walked out of the U.S. District Court for the Northern Marianas a free man.

Assange punched his fist in the air before embracing his family after incarceration in the United Kingdom. While this 14-year chapter closes, his story and fight continue.

“This is the criminalization of journalism. While the plea deal does not set a judicial precedent, it is not a court decision, the prosecution itself sets a precedent that can be used against the rest of the media,” said Robinson. 

His attorneys told KUAM Wednesday that Assange’s work will continue to be a powerful force.

The events unfolding on Saipan brought international media attention, hitting the island like lightning. Now in the calm after the storm, we spoke with residents who watched history unfold in the courtroom.

James Kingman is a Special Prosecutor with the Northern Marianas Attorney General’s Office running anti-corruption efforts. He wasn’t involved in this case. He still questions why it happened here.

 

“Most obvious answer is that it made it very hard for there to be press coverage. The idea that it is simply close to Australia does not really match with the availability of other District Courts that are easier to access,” said Kingman. 

Also in the courtroom was second year Cleaveland State University law student Brianna Hunter. The 25-year-old is home for the summer.

“I would have never imagined that coming home to saipan this summer to visit and observe legal proceedings here on island would have led me to the U.S. District Court for the NMI to watch Julian Assange walk free,” said Hunter. 

She watched the case with her friend, 24-year-old Zeno Deleon Guerrero, a Mount Carmel School teacher and aspiring lawyer.

“Just wanting to be a witness to such a historical and pivotal moment is one thing. And two, just understanding the significance of that event in terms of how we view our government, a free press, and the freedom of speech,” said Deleon Guerrero.

Anthony Torres, who is the CNMI Dept. of Corrections Commissioner, also attended the hearing.

In response to KUAM, Torres said, "His actions have increased public awareness around the world by exposing government secrets, human rights abuses, war crimes, lies, and corruption.”

Torres added, “As a U.S. Commonwealth moving forward, it is crucial and imperative that we continue to engage in meaningful discussions and work towards solutions that uphold the values of a free and accountable society.”

Anthony Torres, who is the CNMI Dept. of Corrections Commissioner, also attended the hearing.

In response to KUAM, Torres said, “Truthfully, attending Julian Assange's hearing in our U.S. Commonwealth was not just historic, but a profoundly thought-provoking experience that deeply resonated with the core principles of justice, transparency, the First Amendment, accountability and freedom of the press. His actions have increased public awareness around the world by exposing government secrets, human rights abuses, war crimes, lies and corruption.”

Torres added, “As a U.S. Commonwealth moving forward, it is crucial and imperative that we continue to engage in meaningful discussions and work towards solutions that uphold the values of a free and accountable society.”