LONDON, (Reuters) – WikiLeaks’ founder Julian Assange was released on bail today after spending nine days in a London jail over alleged sex crimes in Sweden.
Assange, who has angered the U.S. authorities through the release of secret diplomatic cables, made the following statement to supporters and media from the steps of the High Court building in London on a snowy evening.
“It’s great to smell fresh air of London again. “First, some thank yous to all the people around the world who have had faith in me, who have supported my team while I’ve been away. To my lawyers who have put up a brave, and ultimately, successful fight.
“To our sureties and people who have provided money in the face of great difficulty and adversity. And to members of the press who were not all taken in and considered to look deeper in their work.
“And finally to the British justice system itself, where if justice is not always an outcome, at least it is not dead yet.”
“During my time in solitary confinement in the bottom of a Victorian prison I had time to reflect on the conditions of those people around the world also in solitary confinement, also on remand in conditions that are more difficult than those faced by me.
“Those people also need your attention and support and with that I hope to continue my work and continue to protest my innocence in this matter and to reveal as we get it, which we have not yet, the evidence from these allegations. Thank you.”