Julian Assange lands in Australia; Stella Assange says he needs time to recover [Video]

Mrs Assange again addresses the potential for her husband to be pardoned in the future, and the effect such a decision could have on press freedom.

“I think he’ll be pardoned if the press unites to push back against this precedent, because it affects all of you,” she says.

“It affects your future ability to inform the public and to publish without fear.”

Assange’s supporters say publishing the documents was an act of journalism, an assertion fiercely disputed by US authorities and other detractors.

Mrs Assange says it’s premature to think about whether Mr Assange will return to WikiLeaks to publish more documents.

“The fact is that Julian will always defend victims. He’s always done that,” she says.

“And that’s just part of who he is. He is deeply principled and he remains deeply principled.”