We're closing this page now - thanks for reading. To finish, here's the moment Julian Assange arrived in Australia - two days after leaving prison in the UK, and more than 14 years since the legal case began.

You can read our timeline of the case here; our report on the plea deal here; and our backgrounder on Assange here.

With the time approaching 23:00 in Canberra, we're about to close our live coverage of Julian Assange's return to Australia. Here are some of the key moments from today:

• On Wednesday morning in the remote US territory of the Northern Mariana Islands, Assange pleaded guilty to one charge of breaching the Espionage Act
• He walked out of court a free man - having already spent five years in a UK prison, fighting extradition to the US - and boarded a plane to Australia, his home country

• The US Department of Justice announced that, as a result of the conviction, Assange was banned from entering the US without special permission - his family say they will campaign for a presidential pardon
• Assange landed in Canberra, Australia, at 19:37 local time - he was greeted by his wife Stella Assange and his father John Shipton
• At a news conference, Stella said her husband needs time to recover and "get used to freedom" before speaking publicly
• She said she hoped the media realised the "danger" of the case - with his lawyer adding that, even though Assange is free, the conviction sets a "dangerous precedent" for journalists and publishers

Image source, EPA

The last word in the news conference goes to Julian Assange's wife, Stella.

She says she hopes the media "realise the danger of this US case against Julian, that criminalises, that has secured his conviction for newsgathering and publishing information that was true, that the public deserved to know".

She repeats her hopes for a presidential pardon in the US.

"I think he'll be pardoned if the press unite to push back against this precedent," she says.

Her husband, she concludes, "remains principled and unafraid".

Image source, Reuters

The news conference now returns to US lawyer Barry Pollack, who explains there are no restrictions on Assange.

He says this was part of "very intense" negotiations, with a crucial requirement that Assange would be free, with no further time in prison, or a gag order.

"The case against him is over," he says.

Image source, Reuters

Julian Assange's wife, Stella, is now speaking.

Confirming he won't attend the news conference, she says her husband needs time to recuperate and to "let our family be a family" before he will speak publicly.

"Julian needs time to recover, to get used to freedom," she says.

"You have to understand what he's been through."

Barry Pollack, part of Assange's US legal team, describes the case as a "prosecution that should've never been brought".

He says it is unprecedented for the Espionage Act to be used to prosecute a journalist or publisher in the United States.

Pollack adds that "no one should spend a day in prison for giving the public newsworthy and important information".

Robinson now says Australia "stood up" to its ally, the US.

"This is a huge win for for Australia and for Australian democracy, this is a huge win for free speech, this is a huge win that Australia stood up to an ally and demanded the return of an Australian citizen," she says.

Robinson now gives details of the conversation between Assange and Australian PM Anthony Albanese, as Assange landed in Canberra.

Assange told the PM that he "saved his life", says Robinson.

"I don't think that's an exaggeration," she adds.

Robinson also thanks Albanese, saying that "he kept his word" and "his efforts completely changed situation for Julian".

Jennifer Robinson, Assange's lawyer, begins by saying her team and Julian's family are "absolutely delighted" that he is back in Australia.

She goes on to explain the plea deal and that Assange "unfortunately" had to plead guilty to "gain his freedom".

"This is criminalisation of journalism", she adds.

She says the prosecution has set a "dangerous precedent" for the media and journalists.

You can watch the Wikileaks news conference now by pressing play at the top of the page.

We'll have all the main lines here.

Image source, Reuters

Wikileaks has just posted a statement from its editor-in-chief Kristinn Hrafnsson.

He expressed his gratitude towards people who "come together to make history".

"You can move mountains," he says.

Wikileaks is expected to hold a press conference in Canberra soon - but it's not known if Assange will address or attend it.

Image source, PA Media

Katy Watson
Reporting from Canberra

This is a political win for Australia – and personal victory for Julian Assange and his family.

This is a homecoming they’ve long been waiting for. You could see it as Julian Assange picked his wife Stella up and gave her a long hard hug and kiss – and kept going back for more, after giving his dad a hug too.

He waved to his supporters, waiting behind a wire fence – three cheers for Julian they shouted as they waved back. Years of campaigning to bring Julian Assange back home have paid off.

Raine Sinclair, one supporter, said she drove Assange's father up from Melbourne for this (a 400-mile / 660km drive).

Julian represents freedom, she said. And courage.

• After being freed from a five-year stint in Belmarsh prison in the UK, Assange left Stansted Airport on Monday evening (leaving the UK's jurisdiction at 18:46, according to a court document), external
• He then flew to Bangkok, Thailand, where his private jet refuelled
• From there, it was an eastwards hop to the US territory of the Northern Mariana Islands where, on Wednesday morning, he pleaded guilty to one charge in a US district court
• Finally, Assange landed in Canberra, Australia at 19:37 local time on Wednesday

And the price of this worldwide, multi-leg trip? $520,000 (US) according to his campaign.

The Australian government met the cost, but the Assange campaign will repay the sum. And - as a reminder - Stella Assange says her husband was "not permitted" to make the journey on commercial flights.

Image source, .

Here are some more lines from the Australian prime minister's news conference.

Anthony Albanese thanks the UK and the US for their assistance, saying he is "very pleased" the case is over.

He confirms that he spoke to Assange over the phone as the plane landed, but has not met him face-to-face.

"I was quite pleased to be the first person here he spoke with," says Albanese, adding that Assange was "very generous in his praise of the Australian government’s efforts".

He does not give any details of where Assange is heading, saying the Wikileaks founder has "been through a considerable ordeal, it’s up to him when he makes a statement".

Albanese is also asked if the plea deal will affect US-Australia relations.

"We have a very positive relationship with the United States," the PM says. "I regard President Biden as a friend, I regard their relationship as being absolutely central."

Asked why he had "staked so much" to bring Julian Assange home, Albanese says: "I believe in standing up for Australian citzens."

He adds: "As prime minister of Australia, you have the opportunity to make a difference... I've said repeatedly across a range of areas, I'm not here to occupy the space."

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is giving a news conference now - watch live by pressing play at the top of the page, and we'll bring you all the key lines here.