WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange gave his first public speech since he pleaded guilty to conspiring to unlawfully obtain and disseminate classified information relating to the national defense of the U.S.

His high-profile hearing brought international attention to the CNMI in June as his court hearing took place in Saipan at the U.S. District Court. 

Minutes after walking out of the Saipan courtroom a free man, Assange began his journey to his home country of Australia. On Monday, he spoke publicly for the first time since leaving Saipan.

“I am not free today because the system worked, I am free today after years of incarceration, because I pled guilty to journalism. I plead guilty to seeking information from a source,” said Assange. 

During his hearing on Saipan, Assange told the judge, “I believe the first amendment and the Espionage Act are in contradiction with each other but I accept that it would be difficult to win such a case given all these circumstances.”