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Julian Assange has been awarded the “keys” to Mexico City in recognition of his dedication to uncovering the truth.

Gabriel Shipton, the WikiLeaks founder’s brother, accepted the honour on his behalf at a ceremony in Mexico on Wednesday.

He described the award as a “significant” step in the campaign to free his sibling from prison.

Mr Assange’s family were invited to the country by Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador to receive the award and attend events today marking Mexico’s independence.

Mr Lopez Obrador is a vocal supporter of Mr Assange and has pressed US President Joe Biden to drop efforts to prosecute the journalist.

Mr Shipton said Mexico’s support for the campaign to free his brother is “priceless,” given that it is a close neighbour of the US.

John Shipton and Gabriel Shipton, the father and brother respectively of Julian Assange, participate in an event sponsored by the Mexican ruling party Morena, at the Union Telefonica headquarters, entitled “Freedom for Julian Asange: a global struggle,” in Mexico City, Wednesday, September 14, 2022 (Source: Morning Star)

Speaking about the award, Mr Shipton said that it has reinvigorated the campaign and lifted the spirits of his brother, who remains incarcerated in London’s high-security Belmarsh prison.

“The significance of this is that Mexico understands the importance of Julian’s work,” he said.

“Mexico has been a leading advocate for Julian’s freedom and the president is leading the charge among world leaders to free Julian.”

Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum presented the keys to the city to the family, saying:

“For us, Julian represents truth and freedom of expression.

“We are a progressive city that has always defended great freedoms and the right to free access to information.”

Mr Shipton and his father John were invited to Mexico along with the families of Cesar Chavez, Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King Jnr as part of the Independence Day celebrations.

The WikiLeaks founder is fighting a long-running legal battle against extradition to the US, where he faces trial over charges relating to the publication of thousands of secret cables, including on the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

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