Julian Assange, the founder of whistleblower media group WikiLeaks, told European lawmakers on Tuesday his guilty plea to US espionage accusations was necessary because legal and political efforts to protect his freedom were not sufficient.

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has told the Council of Europe he was released after years of incarceration only because he pleaded guilty to doing 'journalism', warning that freedom of expression

"I eventually chose freedom over an unrealisable justice," Julian Assange said, in his first public comments since his release from prison, addressing a committee at the Council of Europe, the international body best known for its human rights convention.

Wikileaks founder Julian Assange will make his first public statements since he was released from prison when he addresses the Council of

"I eventually chose freedom over an unrealisable justice," Assange said, in his first public comments since his release from prison, addressing a committee at the Council of Europe, the international body best known for its human rights convention.

Assange, 53, returned to his home country Australia in June after a deal was struck for his release which saw him plead guilty to violating U.S. espionage law, ending a 14-year British legal odyssey

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange said Tuesday that he was freed after years of incarceration because he "pled guilty to journalism.” In his first public remarks since he was released from prison in June,

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has made his first public appearance since his release under a U.S. plea deal.

Assange served five years in prison after pleading guilty to charges related to obtaining and publishing U.S. military secrets.

Qatar Airways has announced it intends to buy a 25% stake in Virgin Australia from its current owner Bain Capital. Julian Assange made his first public statement since release, wh