Intro
I’ve been following Assange and wikileaks for years — both the supportive and critical coverage.
Assange’s collateral murder Iraq slaughter video engaged me.
The Ecuador president-change from Rafael Correa to Lenín Moreno in Ecuador lead to the brutal British emprisonment of Assange; this disturbs me — is morally wrong, and a threat to journalists and freedom of the press worldwide — the Hawkins campaign agrees..
This post was triggered by a Milwaukee researcher,a retired academic who covers the Assange situation daily.
I’m familiar with all the sources (except for Charles Glass). The content was finalized by me, but largely written by this researcher.
I introduce you to high integrity, writers and websites that counter the legacy media propaganda.
Assange hearing Coverage | good sources
https://shadowproof.com/2020/09/21/guide-to-journalists-assange-trial-upset-by-media-blackout/
- Kevin Gosztola
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https://shadowproof.com/author/kgosztola/
Shadowproof managing editor Kevin Gosztola woke up every morning for four weeks in September to report on WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange’s extradition trial at the Old Bailey Criminal Courthouse in London.
- Craig Murray
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https://wikispooks.com/wiki/Craig_Murray#_ba6793509f3a9343b276e0446f18acd3
- Nils Melzer
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https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/law/staff/nilsmelzer/
UN Special Rapporteur on Torture; Human Rights Chair, Geneva Academy; Professor of International Law, University of Glasgow; Vice-President IIHL, Sanremo
https://www.ohchr.org/en/issues/torture/srtorture/pages/nilsmelzer.aspx
https://wikispooks.com/wiki/Nils_Melzer
In 20 years of work with victims of war, violence and political persecution I have never seen a group of democratic States ganging up to deliberately isolate, demonise and abuse a single individual for such a long time and with so little regard for human dignity and the rule of law.
Swedish legal issues
Assange was accused of sexual misconduct by the Swedish authorities by two women — in fact there have been no charges, and there is evidence of a “setup” to smear him. Nils Melzer, the U.N. Special Rapporteur on torture, walks us through a detailed timeline:
https://www.republik.ch/2020/01/31/nils-melzer-about-wikileaks-founder-julian-assange
A made-up rape allegation and fabricated evidence in Sweden, pressure from the UK not to drop the case, a biased judge, detention in a maximum security prison, psychological torture – and soon extradition to the U.S., where he could face up to 175 years in prison for exposing war crimes. For the first time, the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, Nils Melzer, speaks in detail about the explosive findings of his investigation into the case of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange.
cruel and unique punishment | illegal privacy violations should invalidate the hearing
Daniel Ellsburg’s case was thrown out for illegal privacy violations; Assange’s treatment
is similar. Listen to Charles Glass interview by Scott Horton:
https://dissentradio.com/radio/20_10_09_glass.mp3
Ellsberg interviewed by Kristina Borjesson | his case vs Assange’s
https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/6hxhbk/WB_101620.mp3
Assange hearing summary
In the above @DEAcampaign video, Assange’s father, John Shipton; Assange’s friend and former U.K. Ambassador Craig Murray; Assange’s lawyer, Jen Robinson, current WikiLeaks editor-in-chief Kristinn Hrafnsson: and WikiLeaks ambassador Joseph F. discuss the trial just after the end of the 4 weeks of witness testimony. This 40-minute video is worth the time spent to review key aspects of the testimony presented and key moments in the trial.
Joe Lauria | Editor Consortium News
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and Rebecca Vincent
Reporters without Borders (RSF) was the ONLY journalistic and humanitarian agency that monitored the trial.
After monitoring four weeks of evidence in the US extradition proceedings against Wikileaks publisher Julian Assange, Reporters Without Borders (RSF.org) reiterates concern regarding the targeting of Assange for his contributions to journalism, and calls again for his release. Expert testimony highlighted the political nature of the case against Assange, the US government’s lack of evidence for alleged harm caused, and urgent humanitarian concerns related to Assange’s physical and mental health. RSF also documented extensive barriers to open justice, which marred proceedings. The extradition decision is expected on 4 January 2021.”
Daily Hearing Updates
Reporter access to the hearings was unreasonably difficult — too few in-person slots; burdensome remote access hoops; poor technical implementation.
Craig Murray – Daily Summaries
Craig Murray (@CraigMurrayOrg) – former U.K. Ambassador to Uzbekistan – provided the most literate, informative daily summary by far with his blog posts that start with “Your Man in the Public Gallery.” To see this series of posts search his site for Assange Hearing — searching directly in the search box on his site is also good. Craig was in the courtroom each day along with Julian’s father from 10 am to 4 pm. He went home each day, ate, slept at 7 pm, awoke at 11 – midnight, reviewed his 30 or so pages of notes each day, researched as needed, and then showered dressed and wrote his summary that he posted at 9:30 am each day before walking to the courtroom, up 132 steps. His summaries are magnificent. Here is testimony from “Day 21” by Craig, which is Day 17 or 18 for others (Craig covered the trial in February and just kept counting.) Notice that the URLs are predictable, as in https://www.craigmurray.org.uk/archives/2020/10/your-man-in-the-public-gallery-assange-hearing-day-20.
assange-hearing-day-21 | Oct 1
twenty minutes sufficed for the reading of the “gist” of the astonishing testimony of two witnesses, their identity protected as their lives may be in danger, who stated that the CIA, operating through Sheldon Adelson, planned to kidnap or poison Assange […]
assangedefense.org
AssangeDefense.org or
@DefenseAssange
provided detailed, daily blow-by-blow descriptions of the case they were observing and tweeting out remotely in real time (Select one of the days to open the detailed description.)
I found them to be the most complete. But I would encourage one to read reports from multiple “observers.” — Ann B.
screenshot from https://assangedefense.org/live-blog/
The blog is a “Guide to Testimony in Julian Assange’s Extradition Hearing”.
Here we recap the major arguments and revelations from expert witnesses who testified in Julian Assange’s extradition — and why they matter legally. Topics range from the dangerous threat Assange’s indictment poses to journalism, to the abusive conditions Assange would face in the United States’ prison system, to the politicized nature of the Trump administration’s prosecution.
Green Party | Margaret Flowers commentary on Assange Hearing | Oct 5
https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/clearingthefogradioshow/CtF_Show_10_5_20.mp3?dest-id=122538
My notes from her 10min talk: hearing is: unfair to Assange; no privacy; atty-client talks snooped on; no crime; 175 year sentence; political case; will not release his sources; Assange spied on 24/7 for months. His rights have been violated / not enough time or resources to prepare.
UN Torture Report On Assange Is An Indictment Of Our Entire Society
“The evidence is overwhelming and clear,” Melzer said. “Mr. Assange has been deliberately exposed, for a period of several years, to progressively severe forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, the cumulative effects of which can only be described as psychological torture.”
This mistreatment took it’s toll on Assange. I’ve heard several reporters talk about a “rubber head” torture effect. I think he has recovered somewhat, but I understand at one point he was having trouble speaking — even his own name.
Daniel Ellsberg testifies at Assange extradition hearing
Marc Steiner and Kevin Gosztola: