ROME – Julian Assange was made an honorary citizen of Rome after the City Council voted on the matter on Thursday.

 The Capitoline Assembly passed the motion with 27 votes for and two against, joining Naples and Reggio Emilia in granting the Wikileaks founder honrary citizenship. 

 Former mayor and member of the 5 Star Movement, Virginia Raggi, spoke after the vote saying, “it is a moment of great satisfaction” and described Assange as “a man whose fundamental rights have been repeatedly violated.” She added that “it will be a great day for Rome and for freedom of information" when Assange’s wife, Stella Moris, visits Rome to collect the honour. 

 However, the two opposing councillors spoke out against the Australian journalist’s honorary citizenship. Valerio Casini and Francesca Leoncini, both members of Italia Viva, voted against the motion and criticised the decision.

 The two said they were not “questioning the centrality of universal values such as freedom of the press, democracy and respect for human rights”, however Assange is a “very different affair.” They argued that “his actions have endangered the security and lives of many.”

 In 2019 the Australian was arrested after the Ecuadorian Embassy in London revoked his political asylum. He was arrested on charges of conspiracy to commit computer intrusion and imprisoned in Belmarsh prison.

 Assange remains in prison in the United Kingdom and is currently fighting against extradition to the United States, where he is expected to be sent next week. 

 khg