Julian Assange Returns to Social Media; WikiLeaks Founder Posts 'I'm Back' on X

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange posted a short message on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, September 17, stating “I’m back,” quoting an official WikiLeaks account announcement that read “He’s back @JulianAssange.” The posts quickly drew tens of thousands of likes and views. The WikiLeaks post included a photo of Assange standing on a city street in front of a large mural depicting him with the hashtag #ASSANGE. In the picture,  Assange points toward the artwork while wearing a light-coloured shirt. The image appears to have been taken in Australia.

Background on Assange's Release and Low Profile

Assange was released from Belmarsh prison in the United Kingdom in June 2024 after reaching a plea agreement with US authorities. He pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to obtain and disclose national defence information related to WikiLeaks’ publication of classified US military and diplomatic materials. WikiLeaks Founder Julian Assange Boards Plane in UK After Being Released From Prison, To Plead Guilty in Deal With US (Watch Video).

Julian Assange Resurfaces on X with WikiLeaks Post

I'm back. https://t.co/2e58azeJkt

— Julian Assange (@JulianAssange) September 17, 2026

A judge sentenced him to time served - the roughly five years he had already spent in British custody - allowing him to return to Australia as a free man. Since his return home, Assange has maintained a low public profile. His wife, Stella Assange, stated in 2024 that he was not active on any social media platforms and warned followers about fake accounts using his name. Official statements from his family and WikiLeaks indicated that any authentic accounts would be verified by them.

Recent Activity and Context

Assange’s verified X account showed limited activity immediately after his 2024 release, followed by an extended period without original posts. The Thursday messages mark a clear return. WikiLeaks, which has also posted infrequently in recent months, paired its announcement with the photo of Assange. The posts come more than two years after Assange’s release and return to Australia. During that time, he has focused on private life with his family while supporters continued campaigns seeking a full presidential pardon from the United States. His legal team has previously indicated interest in pursuing such a pardon to clear the remaining conviction. Julian Assange To Be Back on X? Here's What Elon Musk Replied to User's Question on Reactivation of Wikileaks Founder's Account.

Assange rose to international prominence through WikiLeaks’ publication of large volumes of classified documents beginning in 2010. Those releases led to years of legal proceedings across multiple countries, including time spent in the Ecuadorian embassy in London and later imprisonment in the UK while fighting extradition to the United States. No further details about future plans or additional statements accompanied Thursday’s posts.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 17, 2026 08:18 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).