WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has with his whistleblower website helped uncover some of the world's best hidden scandals, but he himself keeps much of his life shrouded in mystery.

Emblematic of the website specialised in leaking confidential documents, the 39-year-old Australian had numerous shocking revelations from places ranging from Iraq to Iceland under his belt even before his master stroke on Afghanistan last month catapulted him into the global spotlight.

WikiLeaks published nearly 77,000 classified US military documents on the war in Afghanistan on July 23 and says it is preparing to publish another 15,000 secret files.

Despite a wave of criticism, Assange insists the publication was an important part of WikiLeaks goal to revolutionise journalism.

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