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WikiLeaks publisher Julian Assange awarded honorary citizenship of Naples

With this gesture Naples in Italy becomes the first major city in the world that granted Honorary Citizenship to the WikiLeaks founder. Stella Assange, Julian’s wife was in Naples to accept the citizenship at the historic Castello dei Baroni in Castel Nuovo.

โ€œIt is a great honor for Julian and for our family. He is suffering greatly from the unjust detention, he risks facing a life sentence in the United States for something that should not be a crime , because freedom of the press exists.”

Stella Assange

“Naples is a great European city and I am truly struck by the mobilization that has taken place and which I consider fundamental for the freedom of the press and for the injustice that Julian is suffering.”

Stella Assange

Current mayor of Naples, Gaetano Manfredi was present at the ceremony including two former mayors of the town Luigi De Magistris and Antonio Bassolino.

“It was an almost unanimous desire of all the political representatives in the City Council and is evidence of a commitment to freedom of information. I believe it is an important act, made by a city, Naples, which has always seen freedom of expression as a value that must be shared, strengthened and carried forward. It is a very complex moment and I will not go into the dynamics of international relations that must be respected, the message that comes from the city of Naples is to respect the value of freedom”.

Gaetano Manfredi

During Stella’s visit in Italy she participated in the inauguration of a mural created by the artist Tisha depicting her husband in Scampia.