1. Who is Julian Assange?

An Australian editor and publisher, he is best known for having founded the anti-secrecy website WikiLeaks, which gained massive attention – and notoriety – for the 2010 release of almost half a million documents relating to the US wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

2. What has Assange been accused of?

The former Trump administration’s US Justice Department accused Assange of directing former Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning in one of the largest compromises of classified information in US history.

The charges relate to WikiLeaks’ publication of thousands of leaked military and diplomatic documents, with prosecutors accusing Assange of helping Manning steal.

Reports from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq published by Assange included the names of Afghans and Iraqis who provided information to American and coalition forces, prosecutors said.

Diplomatic cables he released exposed journalists, religious leaders, human rights advocates and dissidents in repressive countries.

3. Why wasn’t he already in US custody?

Assange has spent the past five years in a British high-security prison, fighting to avoid extradition to the US and winning favourable court rulings that have delayed any transfer across the Atlantic.

Despite his arrest and imprisonment by British authorities, extradition efforts by the US had stalled before the plea deal revealed on Tuesday.

In 2021, a British judge rejected the US extradition request on the grounds that Assange was likely to kill himself if held under harsh US prison conditions.

Higher courts overturned that decision after getting assurances from the US about his treatment. In June 2022, the British government signed an extradition order.

In May, two British High Court judges ruled that Assange could mount a new appeal based on arguments about whether he will receive free-speech protections or be at a disadvantage because he is not a US citizen.

4. What does the plea deal require?

Assange will have to plead guilty to a felony charge under the Espionage Act of conspiring to unlawfully obtain and disseminate classified information relating to the national defence of the US, according to a Justice Department letter filed in federal court.

Rather than face the prospect of prison time in the US, Assange is expected to return to Australia after his plea and sentencing, scheduled for Wednesday morning (AEST).

There were multiple reports late on Tuesday that Assange was expected to land in Sydney later on Wednesday.

The hearing is being held in the remote US territory of the Northern Marianas Islands, in the north-western Pacific Ocean because Assange is opposed to travelling to the continental US, and because of the court's proximity to Australia.

JULIAN ASSANGE IS FREE pic.twitter.com/z63hI2WnuV

— Free Assange - #FreeAssange (@FreeAssangeNews) June 24, 2024

5. What has the reaction been to his release?

‘‘Julian is free!!!!’’ his wife, Stella Assange, wrote on X shortly after Tuesday's announcement.

‘‘Words cannot express our immense gratitude to YOU – yes YOU, who have all mobilised for years and years to make this come true’’, in a reference to her more than 220,000 followers on the platform.

WikiLeaks also welcomed the decision.

‘‘WikiLeaks published ground-breaking stories of government corruption and human rights abuses, holding the powerful accountable for their actions,’’ the organisation wrote on X.

‘‘As editor-in-chief, Julian paid severely for these principles, and for the people’s right to know.

‘‘As he returns to Australia, we thank all who stood by us, fought for us, and remained utterly committed in the fight for his freedom.’’

Assange's mother, Christine Assange, said her son’s ordeal was finally coming to an end and took a cryptic swipe at hangers-on who might use his case for their own benefit.

‘‘This shows the importance and power of quiet diplomacy,’’ she said.

‘‘Many have used my son’s situation to push their own agendas, so I am grateful to those unseen, hard-working people who put Julian’s welfare first. The past 14 years has obviously taken a toll on me as a mother, so I wish to thank you in advance for respecting my privacy.’’

Closer to home, there were reactions from both sides of politics that the long campaign for the US to end its pursuit of Assange appeared to have finally come to a resolution.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has directly raised the issue with US President Joe Biden and in September, politicians from all sides of Australia’s political spectrum converged on Washington to lobby US decision makers.

Opposition foreign affairs spokesman Simon Birmingham welcomed Tuesday’s decision.

‘‘We have consistently said that the US and UK justice systems should be respected,’’ he said.

‘‘We welcome the fact that Mr Assange’s decision to plead guilty will bring this long-running saga to an end.’’

Nationals Senator Matt Canavan also celebrated.

‘‘Julian Assange will finally be a free man!’’ he wrote on X.

Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce, who was part of the Washington delegation, said he was encouraged but warned politicians to remain cautious as the legal process was ongoing.

‘‘We’re in the process of a 1500-metre race, we don’t stop and start waving at the crowd on 2½ laps, we wait to the end of the race.’’

Bring Julian Assange Home campaigner Antony Loewenstein said Assange’s release was ‘‘the best news imaginable’’.

‘‘He’s a journalist. He hasn’t hurt a soul, hasn’t hurt anybody, hasn’t killed anybody, hasn’t done any harm to anybody,’’ he told Sky News.

‘‘I’m absolutely relieved that he’s finally out.’’

Greens Senator David Shoebridge said Assange should never have been charged and he looked forward to his return.

‘‘I along with millions of Australians are looking forward to welcoming Julian back home where he belongs with his family and his friends,’’ he said.

‘‘On this day we again commit to fixing whistleblower laws in Australia and supporting truth telling across the globe.’’

-with AAP