What you need to know about Julian Assange, WikiLeaks' controversial founder

Julian Assange, who recently secured his freedom through a plea deal with US authorities, is a polarizing figure known for his role in WikiLeaks. Seen by many as a champion of press freedom, he gained global attention by releasing classified US military documents, including the infamous Iraq and Afghanistan war logs. Assange's legal troubles began with allegations in Sweden, followed by seeking asylum in Ecuador's embassy in London to avoid extradition to the US, where he faced charges under the Espionage Act.