LONDON (AP) — Wikileaks founder Julian Assange will make his first public statements since he was released from prison when he addresses the Council of Europe on Tuesday. Assange, 53, is expected to give evidence to the legal affairs and human rights committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, France.

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange made a public statement for the first time since his release. He stressed that his guilty plea to U.S. espionage accusations

Julian Assange stated his freedom came at a significant cost after years of incarceration, emphasizing the precarious state of freedom of expression globally. He expressed regret over lost years and is actively seeking a US presidential pardon for his conviction under the Espionage Act.