WikiLeaks’ Assange to Make First Public Appearance Since Release in Strasbourg

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange waves as he arrives in Canberra, Australia, June 26, 2024. (Reuters)
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange waves as he arrives in Canberra, Australia, June 26, 2024. (Reuters)
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WikiLeaks’ Assange to Make First Public Appearance Since Release in Strasbourg

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange waves as he arrives in Canberra, Australia, June 26, 2024. (Reuters)
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange waves as he arrives in Canberra, Australia, June 26, 2024. (Reuters)

WikiLeaks' founder Julian Assange is set to make his first public appearance since being freed from a British jail when he gives evidence to the Council of Europe next month, his organization said on Wednesday.

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

His wife Stella, who he married while in a top security London jail, said he would need some time to regain his health and sanity after his long incarceration, as well as to be with their two children who he had never seen outside of a prison.

He will now speak in public for the first time when he gives evidence to the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) in Strasbourg on Oct 1.

It comes after a PACE report into his case which concluded he was a political prisoner and called for Britain to hold an inquiry into whether he had been exposed to inhuman treatment.

"It will be an exceptional break from his recovery as (the Council of Europe) invited Julian to provide testimony for the ... Committee’s report into his case and its wider implications," Stella Assange said on X.



Haramain High-Speed Railway Sets Ramadan Record, Transporting 48,000 Passengers in a Single Day

The train continues to operate at full capacity, with the number of daily trips gradually increasing since the start of Ramadan, reaching 130 trips per day during the last 10 days of the month. (SPA)
The train continues to operate at full capacity, with the number of daily trips gradually increasing since the start of Ramadan, reaching 130 trips per day during the last 10 days of the month. (SPA)
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Haramain High-Speed Railway Sets Ramadan Record, Transporting 48,000 Passengers in a Single Day

The train continues to operate at full capacity, with the number of daily trips gradually increasing since the start of Ramadan, reaching 130 trips per day during the last 10 days of the month. (SPA)
The train continues to operate at full capacity, with the number of daily trips gradually increasing since the start of Ramadan, reaching 130 trips per day during the last 10 days of the month. (SPA)

The Haramain High-Speed Railway set a record for the highest number of passengers transported in a single day since its inauguration in 2018, with around 48,000 passengers on the 15th day of Ramadan.

Since the beginning of the holy month, the average daily ridership has exceeded 39,000 passengers, reflecting the high demand for the train as the fastest means of reaching Makkah.

The train continues to operate at full capacity, with the number of daily trips gradually increasing since the start of Ramadan, reaching 130 trips per day during the last 10 days of the month.

To accommodate this significant demand, the Saudi Railway Company (SAR) has adjusted the train schedules to match peak times for Umrah performers, worshippers, and visitors.

Modifications have also been made to passenger flow routes within stations, and extra lounges have been provided at the Madinah station to facilitate smoother movement and enhance the travel experience.

The Haramain High-Speed Railway is one of the most prominent transportation projects serving worshippers year-round. It connects Makkah and Madinah, passing through Jeddah, King Abdulaziz International Airport, and King Abdullah Economic City. Operating on a 453-kilometer electric line, it ranks among the top 10 fastest trains in the world, with an operational speed of up to 300 km/h.

SAR announced its operational plan for Ramadan before the season began, which included providing 1.6 million seats across more than 3,400 trips on the Haramain High-Speed Railway.