Julian Assange's Father Praises Putin's Support Amidst Ongoing Controversy

John Shipton expresses gratitude to Russian President Vladimir Putin for defending his son, as tensions with Western authorities continue.

John Shipton, Julian Assange's father, thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin for his early support of Assange, dating back to 2012.
Shipton made his remarks during an interview with Russian state-owned news agency RIA Novosti while attending the BRICS summit in Moscow.
Stella Assange, Julian's wife, distanced her husband from Shipton's comments, emphasizing Julian's skepticism of states with large intelligence sectors.
Shipton has faced criticism for his pro-Russian stance and past meetings with controversial leaders, including Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad.
Julian Assange recently returned to Australia after a plea deal with the US, concluding a 14-year legal battle over espionage charges.