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Survivor of CIA Torture and Rendition Supports Assange at Extradition Trial

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Re: Survivor of CIA Torture and Rendition Supports Assange at Extradition Trial

#21
post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

yes, I believe there's a team funded using millions of US taxpayer money working on sabotaging Assanges defense in every possible way including illegal and immoral ways like hacking, bribing, black mailing, etc..

You can bet on it. Also, these people will be highly motivated and not just be "doing their job". They'll be made well aware that their "way of life" and "reality as they know it" literally depends on the success of their work. Considering how these people are part of a criminal enterprise, it can be argued it's actually a true self-fulfilling prophesy. As far as I'm concerned, people involved in such actions deserve…

> As far as I'm concerned, people involved in such actions deserve to be hunted down and illiminated with extreme prejudice, by any covert agency of any country that does actually respect due process of the legal system.

They have nothing to fear, then, as those countries wouldn't have covert agencies, even if they existed, which they don't.

I agree about the first part though. When losing (on the grand scheme, not necessarily on a single case like Assange) means you go to jail, you get extra motivated.

Re: Survivor of CIA Torture and Rendition Supports Assange at Extradition Trial

#23
post #22

Let's see what the British court does; I just hope they don't bring more shame to the country.

I don't know the particulars of this case or the UK, so, maybe I'm wrong, but this is probably already decided.

The way this kind of thing is done is by managing that the case goes to the "proper" judge.

Re: Survivor of CIA Torture and Rendition Supports Assange at Extradition Trial

#24

> .. in the United States, it will likely be excluded as irrelevant because the Espionage Act does not allow a public interest defense. Remind me again, what made the USA any better than North Korea or any other off-the-rails criminal regime? If this statement about the Espionage Act is correct, then why is there even a discussion whether Assange will get a fair trial in the USA? It's plain as daylight that he never…

Exactly.

A lot of people ask also why Snowden keeps "hiding" in Russia and doesn't come back to face the music.

It's because he's not even allowed to use the public good defense per the Espionage Act.

As for Assange, the poor man has already suffered enough, what the UN amounts to torture. This is despicable and anyone who is concerned about the Uyghurs, Rohingya etc. should voice a strong opposition to what is happening to Assange in the West.

P.S. His prosecution isn't even about the 2016 election, however you feel about that, it's about him exposing war crimes committed by the U.S. government, killing civilians, including knowingly journalists and laughing about it.

Re: Survivor of CIA Torture and Rendition Supports Assange at Extradition Trial

#25
post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Though he did suffer some technical difficulties, he did not testify as the court ruled his testimony was not relevant to the case. Subtly is not even necessary.

The paragraphs in the article. "In the United Kingdom, Assange’s legal team has been allowed to enter this evidence into the public record. However, during a potential trial in the United States, it will likely be excluded as irrelevant because the Espionage Act does not allow a public interest defense." "The Central Criminal Court in London was prepared for El Masri to testify. An interpreter was lined up for the ni…

Other sources I've seen disagree, that Charlie Jones tweet blames the translator, and the prosecution has been discussing blocking this testimony for a few days now.

https://consortiumnews.com/2020/09/18/assange-hearing-day-ni...

Re: Survivor of CIA Torture and Rendition Supports Assange at Extradition Trial

#26
> The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) confirmed nine years after that El Masri was “severely beaten, sodomized, shackled, and hooded, and subjected total sensory deprivation—carried out in the presence of state officials of Macedonia and within its jurisdiction.”

> Macedonia’s “government was consequently responsible for those acts performed by foreign officials…Those measures had been used with premeditation, the aim being to cause Mr. Masri severe pain and suffering in order to obtain information,” the ECHR additionally found.

> (...)

> “The U.S. diplomatic cables revealed the extent of pressure brought upon the German authorities (and in parallel, relevant Spanish authorities) not to act upon the clear evidence of criminal acts by the USA even though by then exposed,” Goetz added.

Then some Americans are confused that many in the western world don't like American influence. I find it outrageous that these things happen, and I wouldn't want my government to consider such a country an ally.

Re: Survivor of CIA Torture and Rendition Supports Assange at Extradition Trial

#27
post #10
post #6

That was painful to read, that poor man. Absolutely disgusting behaviour from the US.

It’s totally absurd that US can kidnap random people outside their country.

> It’s totally absurd that US can kidnap random people outside their country.

kidnap... and assassinate.

Is not the US people in any case, is their government. And some of those people seem to have severe and worrying sadistic undercurrents in their personality. As human beings, torturers are a real failure.

Re: Survivor of CIA Torture and Rendition Supports Assange at Extradition Trial

#29
post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The paragraphs in the article. "In the United Kingdom, Assange’s legal team has been allowed to enter this evidence into the public record. However, during a potential trial in the United States, it will likely be excluded as irrelevant because the Espionage Act does not allow a public interest defense." "The Central Criminal Court in London was prepared for El Masri to testify. An interpreter was lined up for the ni…

Other sources I've seen disagree, that Charlie Jones tweet blames the translator, and the prosecution has been discussing blocking this testimony for a few days now. https://consortiumnews.com/2020/09/18/assange-hearing-day-ni...

Another report:

https://assangecourt.report/september-18-morning

"Mr El-Masri was due to give evidence by video link, but, after a legal argument, presiding judge Vanessa Baraitser decided that it would be sufficient for his statement to be read to the court and he need not appear."

Re: Survivor of CIA Torture and Rendition Supports Assange at Extradition Trial

#30

> The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) confirmed nine years after that El Masri was “severely beaten, sodomized, shackled, and hooded, and subjected total sensory deprivation—carried out in the presence of state officials of Macedonia and within its jurisdiction.” > Macedonia’s “government was consequently responsible for those acts performed by foreign officials…Those measures had been used with premeditation,…

I totally agree. First, many Americans don't support these acts, it's just beyond their control. And others do support them but either minimize them or believe they are justified for a greater good.

And a lot are totally clueless and just have no idea of what's going on.

There's a lot of propaganda, poor education and lack of information in the US. Just watch a presidential debate, it's a joke.

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