The German Akademie der Künste (Academy of Arts) said that Assange’s work and positions have focused “our attention on illegal state actions, injustices, murders and war crimes – things that were meant to remain in the dark, concealed and obscured from the public view, from the citizens.”

Assange’s work has resulted in the disclosure of the cash flows of powerful figures, hidden accounts and official e-mail correspondences, has uncovered images of murdered unarmed civilians and journalists in Iraq by members of the U.S. Army, has disclosed the arbitrary killings of civilians in Afghanistan and secret service projects aimed at the manipulation of public opinion, has brought to light the humiliation and torture in souvenir photos taken by laughing perpetrators at Abu Ghraib Prison, the Academy said in its statements.