WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange gestures from the window of a prison van in May 2019 in London before being sentenced to 50 weeks in prison for breaching his bail conditions in 2012. (AFP photo)WASHINGTON: The Justice Department on Thursday charged WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange with violating the US Espionage Act by publishing military and diplomatic files in 2010, rejecting his claim that he is a journalist. "But Julian Assange is no journalist." "The charges brought against Julian Assange under the Espionage Act pose a direct threat to press freedom and investigative journalism, both of which are undermined when those who inform the public are prosecuted for sounding the alarm," said Reporters Without Borders. "Assange wanted the 'Most Wanted Leaks' list to encourage and cause individuals to illegally obtain and disclose protected information," the indictment says.

Source: Bangkok Post May 23, 2019 23:03 UTC