Full recording: Julian Assange appears in U.S. court

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange appeared in U.S. court on Wednesday and pleaded guilty to obtaining and publishing U.S. military secrets in violation of the Espionage Act. The plea was part of a deal which secured his freedom.

Assange left a UK prison earlier this week and flew to Saipan in the Northern Mariana Islands, a U.S. commonwealth in the western Pacific. After pleading guilty, Judge Ramona V Manglona sentenced him to time served.

The court appearance took place in Saipan because of Assange's opposition to traveling to the U.S. mainland, as well as the island's proximity to his home country, Australia. After sentencing, Assange flew to Australia.

This audio recording has not been edited and reflects the entirety of Julian Assange's court appearance.