The U.S. Justice Department announced that it will not likely bring charges against Julian Assange over releasing classified documents.
According to The Washington Post, who first reported the story, the decision comes after government lawyers said that by bringing charges against Assange, they would also have to go after U.S. journalists.
The difference between Assange and former analyst Chelsea Manning is that, Assange published classified documents as opposed to leaking them, which is what others have been charged with under the Espionage Act. A grand jury remains impaneled, but there is little chance that Assange is charged, unless new information comes out about a different crime.
"The problem the department has always had in investigating Julian Assange is there is no way to prosecute him for publishing information without the same theory being applied to journalists," said Matthew Miller, a former Justice Department spokesperson. "And if you are not going to prosecute journalists for publishing classified information, which the department is not, then there is no way to prosecute Assange."
Currently Assange resides in the Ecuadorian embassy in London, The Hollywood Reporter notes. He has remained there so as to avoid extradition. Assange has previously said he would leave if no charges are brought against him.
Assange's lawyer Barry Pollack said they are asking about information. "We have repeatedly asked the Department of Justice to tell us what the status of the investigation was with respect to Mr. Assange. They have declined to do so.
image: Wikimedia Commons
