– Wayne Couzens, 48, showed so much experience in his awful crimes experts say he must have acted before
– The rapist officer learned today he will die in jail serving a whole life sentence for killing Sarah Everard
Archiv: cases / charges / indictments / trials / sentencings / judgments / rulings
German Facebook ruling boosts EU push for stricter content moderation
(July 29, 2021)
In its ruling, the Karlsruhe-based court said that while Facebook had the right to decide what stays on or off the platform, it needs to be more forthcoming with users on how it does so. The court found that the social media company did not inform two users that it had removed their posts. It added that the company should have also informed and given users an opportunity to respond before suspending them from its platform.
The decision sets a major precedent for how social media companies police content on their platforms, likely giving a boost to EU lawmakers in Brussels, who are pushing to add further obligations on social media companies.
Report: Whistleblower Daniel Hale, responsible for revealing massive civilian cost of US Drone Program, receives 45 month sentence „It was necessary to dispel the lie that drone warfare keeps us safe, that our lives are worth more than theirs“ #DanielHale
Daniel Hale sentenced to 45 months in prison
Before he was sentenced, Hale read a powerful and intensely emotional speech to the court, condemning the horrors of war, particularly the post-9/11 U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and drew attention to Iraqi and Afghan victims of the U.S. drone assassination program. He said he opposes war for the same reasons he opposes the death penalty, saying it’s wrong to kill and especially wrong to kill the defenseless. The U.S. often posthumously labels those it kills as “combatants,” and Hale said that sometimes up to 90% of victims in a given airstrike are unidentifiable.
‘The State’s Right’: Top Court Refuses to Rule on Israeli Sale of Spy Tech to Russia
(26.06.2021)
Israel’s defense exports, including the sale of offensive cyber technologies to foreign countries, and the policy that governs them is beyond the jurisdiction of Israeli courts, the Supreme Court ruled Sunday. The court’s justices refused to hear a petition filed by human right activists against the director of Israel’s Defense Ministry and Cellebrite, the digital forensics company, for the sale of phone-hacking tech to Russia.
Anarchy in the RSA: A spirit of revolt without revolution
Slavoj Žižek proposed in an article on the London riots in 2011 that such riots are not easily understandable in Marxist terms, precisely because they do not carry the signs of the emergence of a revolutionary subject. Instead, he proposes that they fit much better the Hegelian notion of “abstract negativity”, of “those outside organised social space, who can express their discontent only through ‘irrational’ outbursts of destructive violence”. Žižek believes that these forms of riot confirm the rather mundane, now commonplace assertion that we live in a post-ideological era, an era in which nothing is demanded any more, a time of “zero-degree violence”.
“Opposition to the system can no longer articulate itself in the form of a realistic alternative, or even as a utopian project,” Žižek writes, “but can only take the shape of a meaningless outburst.”
The row raging over a corrupt former president’s jailing shows that South Africa is heading down a sad and familiar path
South Africa’s highest court last week ordered the imprisonment of the country’s former president Jacob Zuma for 15 months for contempt of court. The decision stems from Zuma’s refusal to appear at a commission to answer questions about his alleged involvement in corruption during his time as president between 2009 and 2018.
On Saturday, however, the constitutional court agreed to hear Zuma’s urgent appeal on July 12 to rescind its order to sentence him to jail. If the court is gelded, the human rights so dearly won defeating apartheid will be lost.
Assange Extradition: British High Court Grants US A Limited Appeal
According to Stella Moris, who is Assange’s partner, the High Court rejected the efforts of the U.S. government to “second guess the magistrates’ conclusions on medical and expert evidence.” It allowed the U.S. to challenge the court’s findings on prison conditions.
No date was immediately set for a hearing on the appeal, and it was unclear whether the High Court had considered the request by Assange’s legal team for a cross-appeal.
The Dissenter reviewed the appeal submissions, which are not publicly available.
Three arrested after tv crime journalist Peter R de Vries is shot
He is currently spokesman for a key witness in a major gangland killing trial and had been threatened. According to some reports, he had refused to have personal security.
Judge tosses frivolous lawsuit by heiress Sulome Anderson seeking to destroy The Grayzone
The District of Columbia Superior Court has rejected a frivolous, million-dollar lawsuit claiming libel, defamation, and tortious conspiracy filed by writer Sulome Anderson against The Grayzone’s editor Max Blumenthal and assistant editor Ben Norton.
Judge William M. Jackson’s June 16, 2021 decision put an end to the entitled heiress’ three-year-long campaign to smear and bankrupt The Grayzone with the help of a powerful DC lawyer closely linked to the Israel lobby.
Israeli Charged in Global Hacker-for-hire Scheme Seeks Plea Deal
While the indictment does not identify the hackers by name, five people familiar with the case say that Azari is being charged in relation to New Delhi-based BellTroX InfoTech Services, which Reuters last year reported was behind a hacking campaign that targeted lawyers, government officials, businessmen, investors and activists around the world.
Azari is charged with conspiracy to commit hacking, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft, court documents show.
Small IT firm in Delhi ran one of world’s ‘largest’ hacker-for-hire services: Reuters expose
(10.06.2021)
Citing an article in The Financial Times, which in turn cites the Citizen Lab report, Muddy Waters Research tweeted that a German payment processing company Wirecard was a client of BellTrox.
‘The State’s Right’: Top Court Refuses to Rule on Israeli Sale of Spy Tech to Russia
Israel’s defense exports, including the sale of offensive cyber technologies to foreign countries, and the policy that governs them is beyond the jurisdiction of Israeli courts, the Supreme Court ruled Sunday. The court’s justices refused to hear a petition filed by human right activists against the director of Israel’s Defense Ministry and Cellebrite, the digital forensics company, for the sale of phone-hacking tech to Russia.
Supreme Court declines to expand police power to enter home without warrant
The Supreme Court on Wednesday declined to grant police more authority to enter the home of a fleeing suspect following a minor offense.
The unanimous ruling adopts a legal test that involves weighing the circumstances of a warrantless search to determine its lawfulness under the Fourth Amendment.
Release the Transcripts of Israel’s COVID Cabinet Meetings
The Supreme Court is currently deliberating over Haaretz’s petition, drafted by attorney Tal Lieblich, to release transcripts of cabinet and ministerial committee meetings on the coronavirus. For more than a year, this battle has been wending its way through the courts. In addition to its demand that the full transcripts be released for public scrutiny, the petition seeks to mount a challenge in principle to a rule that automatically defines all ministerial meetings as classified – a rule that leads to documentation being buried in the archives for at least 30 years.
#UPDATE Britain’s Karim Khan was sworn in Wednesday as the new prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, facing huge challenges, including investigations into the Palestinian territories, Afghanistan and the Philippines
„After attorney general requests deferral, High Court says a new date for the hearing will be set within 30 days and that the Palestinian families in Sheikh Jarrah will remain in their homes until a decision is made“
Full coverage: Chauvin found guilty of murder in George Floyd’s death
After less than 12 hours of deliberations, the jury returned its verdict against Chauvin, finding him guilty on all three counts: second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.
Israel: High Court rules movement ban during virus lockdown ‚unconstitutional‘
Israel’s High Court of Justice ruled on Sunday that the government repeatedly overstepped its authority it barred citizens from departing their homes more than one kilometer during multiple coronavirus lockdowns.
In the eight-to-one decision handed down on Sunday, the court specifically cited Israel’s second national lockdown last October, noting the government’s actions constituted a „disproportionate violation of the right to protest and were unconstitutional.“
Israel’s High Court bars Netanyahu from appointing top law enforcement & justice officials as it could affect his corruption trial
In their decision on Thursday, the judges sided with Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit, who earlier laid out conflict of interest rules regarding Netanyahu’s situation. Mandelblit insisted that the PM must be prevented from appointing officials who would have the power to influence the probe against him.
We petitioned the High Court of Justice in demand of a full investigation regarding the Submarines Affair
Our investigative department got hold of new evidence concerning the Submarines Affair (our efforts continue – the department still investigates the affair in full energy). In our petition to the High Court of Justice we requested the judges to order the following:
1. Criminal investigation of Netanyahu’s Steel Shares Affair. 2. Criminal investigation against Netanyahu in the Submarines Affair. 3. Establishing a State Inquiry Committee in order to finally investigate this severe affair.
Top Court Strikes Down COVID Restrictions on Citizens‘ Entry and Departure From Israel
In a damning verdict, the judges noted that „Israel is the only democratic country in the world where the right of citizens to enter their country has been so sweepingly restricted.“
On the figure of 3,000, the judges stated that this was set by the government before they had gathered data on the number of nationals who were stuck abroad, and ordered any future restrictions to be based on updated and comprehensive facts.
Honduran President Implicated in Cocaine Trafficking to the US
Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández helped smuggle thousands of kilos of cocaine into the United States, a U.S. prosecutor said Tuesday in opening arguments in the federal trial of alleged drug trafficker Geovanny Fuentes in New York.
Supreme Court Seems Ready to Sustain Arizona Voting Limits
Several members of the court’s conservative majority said the restrictions were sensible, commonplace and at least partly endorsed by a bipartisan consensus reflected in a 2005 report signed by former President Jimmy Carter and James A. Baker III, who served as secretary of state under President George Bush.
The Biden administration, too, told the justices in an unusual letter two weeks ago that the Arizona measures appeared to be lawful.
Jason Snead: Supreme Court voting rights case could change rules across the country. Here’s how
Perhaps no case better illustrates the political left’s current animosity to even the most commonsense election protection measures, or its willingness to use unsupported race-based allegations to attack them in court and in public.
Arizona has a voting system that any reasonable observer would think makes it extraordinarily easy to vote. The state offers online voter registration and allows anyone to vote by early ballot for any reason.
UK Supreme Court’s Uber decision is a victory for all gig workers
From Uruguay and the United States to Australia and France, couriers and drivers have been bringing legal challenges against food delivery and passenger transport companies, such as Uber, Lyft, and Deliveroo, arguing that as their “workers” or “employees” they should be entitled to employment protections such as minimum wage, paid holidays and the right to unionise.
Syria’s ex-intelligence officer convicted in landmark Germany case
„This trial represents the first step towards justice that the Syrian victims have truly felt,“ rights lawyer Anwar al-Bunni told the BBC from Germany, where he sought asylum.
Mr Bunni says he was arrested by Anwar Raslan in the Syrian capital Damascus and was shocked to later come face to face with him in a Berlin shop.
Illegal Missile Sale to ‚Asian Country‘ Could Harm Israel-U.S. Ties
Investigations by the Shin Bet and police into the alleged sale of military technology to an unnamed Asian country may become one of the most serious security issues in recent memory. Defense officials are concerned that the case may have far-reaching consequences involving a large number of people and potential intelligence and technological fallout.
No indictment for Netanyahu
(20. April 1997)
Netanyahu told CNN’s Walter Rodgers he was „glad that the truth came out,“ and said the entire incident was „blown out of proportion and twisted out of shape.“
„It’s politics,“ he said in an interview shortly after the attorney general released his report. „Of course there were people out to get us. But this is going nowhere. It’s done. It’s finished.“
Mendelblit, Don’t Delay
(14.02.2018)
The police announcement Tuesday – that the investigations into two cases involving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had been completed – came 13 months after Attorney General Avichai Mendelblit decided that a “preliminary examination” of the allegations, which itself took six months, should become full-fledged criminal investigations.
With our Member States, we have requested from AZ a detailed planning of vaccine deliveries and when distribution will take place to Member States. Another meeting will be convened on Wednesday to discuss the matter further.
In addition, today we discussed with the 27 Member States in the Steering Board that an export transparency mechanism will be put in place as soon as possible. We want clarity on transactions and full transparency concerning the export of vaccines from the EU.
Press statement by Commissioner Kyriakides on vaccine deliveries and on the vaccine export transparency scheme
Good evening.
You know that AstraZeneca’s vaccine is currently in the final stages of the approval process with the European Medicines Agency.
If all requirements are met, the European Medicines Agency could recommend market authorisation by the end of this week.
But there is a problem on the supply side.
Last Friday, the company AstraZeneca surprisingly informed the Commission and the European Union Member States that it intends to supply considerably fewer doses in the coming weeks than agreed and announced.
This new schedule is not acceptable to the European Union.
Coronavirus: EU locks horns with AstraZeneca on vaccine deliveries amid ‘supply shock’
n a sign of the EU’s frustration – after Pfizer also announced a temporary slowdown in vaccine supplies earlier in January – EU health commissioner Stella Kyriakides proposed forcing drug makers to register in advance their Covid-19 vaccine exports, so the bloc can keep track of what they are doing.
Deutsche Bank Agrees to Pay over $130 Million to Resolve Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and Fraud Case
Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft (Deutsche Bank or the Company) has agreed to pay more than $130 million to resolve the government’s investigation into violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and a separate investigation into a commodities fraud scheme.
The resolution includes criminal penalties of $85,186,206, criminal disgorgement of $681,480, victim compensation payments of $1,223,738, and $43,329,622 to be paid to the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission in a coordinated resolution.
UK judge justifies CIA spying on Assange citing debunked CNN report based on… CIA spying
In one of the most brazenly political sections in her December 4 legal judgment, Westminster district judge Vanessa Baraitser cited a suspect report by CNN that accused Assange of conspiring with Russians to turn Ecuador’s embassy in London, where he was trapped in refuge for roughly seven years, “into a command post for election meddling.”
Baraitser twice pointed to this dubious CNN article in order to justify a 24/7 CIA spying operation that targeted not only Assange, but Ecuador’s embassy and its sovereign operations and internal affairs as well.
What the British judge failed to mention is that the CNN story she relied on was itself based entirely on untrustworthy intelligence reports drafted by a Spanish security firm called UC Global, which secretly worked with the CIA to spy on the WikiLeaks publisher and Ecuadorian embassy staff.
Breaking: A London Judge has denied a bail application for Julian Assange #assangecase
UN human rights expert ‘cautiously welcomes’ UK court’s refusal to extradite Julian Assange
“If extradited to the United States, he faces a sentence of up to 175 years imprisonment under inhumane conditions of near total isolation,” Mr. Melzer added.
According to the news release, the Special Rapporteur repeatedly expressed in individual communications and statements that Mr. Assange has been subjected to more than 10 years of arbitrary detention and political persecution. During a visit conducted to Belmarsh Prison in 2019, the rights expert and a specialized medical team found that Mr. Assange showed all the symptoms typical for prolonged exposure to psychological torture.
British court to hear bail plea for WikiLeaks’ Julian Assange today
Following victory in his battle to avoid extradition from Britain to the United States, Assange has remained in the high-security Belmarsh prison in southeast London pending the latest hearing, at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in central London.
Between: THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA -v- JULIAN PAUL ASSANGE
(04.01.2021)
1. This is a request made by the Government of the United States of America (“the US”) for the extradition of Julian Paul Assange. The US is represented by James Lewis QC, Claire Dobbin and Joel Smith. Mr. Assange is represented by Edward Fitzgerald QC, Mark Summers QC, Ben Cooper QC and Florence Iveson.
New leads suggest CIA spied on Assange to secure his extradition to the US
The Spanish High Court’s investigation is currently stalled. Six months after Judge De la Mata requested judicial cooperation from US authorities, asking them for identifying information about the IPs that accessed UC Global’s servers, the US justice system has yet to respond. US prosecutors demanded to know the judge’s sources, and De la Mata sent additional information, but no reply has been forthcoming.
Meanwhile, the United Kingdom has also failed to comply with De la Mata’s request to take statements from the lawyers who were spied on while working with Assange.
Stella Morris & WikiLeaks Chief Editor Speak After Assange Blocked Extradition To The U S
Stella Morris and Chief Editor of Wiki Leaks Kristinn Hrafnsson speak, after Julian Assange extradition to the United States is blocked, by U.K District Judge. The Old Bailey.
British court rejects U.S. extradition request for WikiLeaks’ Julian Assange, saying he is at risk of suicide
The U.S. government will appeal to the High Court to reverse the judge’s ruling, a process that could take several months — perhaps even longer because of Assange’s poor health and the soaring outbreak of coronavirus in Britain, which has the capital city on near-lockdown.
Israel’s High Court Judges Are Playing Dumb About the Nation-state Law
Amit knows very well that the principle of equality wasn’t omitted from the law by accident, nor is it just a coincidence that it’s impossible to find a Knesset majority for passing a Basic Law on Equality. He knows that discrimination against Arabs in Israel isn’t just a by-product of the nation-state law but its main purpose – that discrimination is the essence of the law: enshrining Jewish superiority and Arab inferiority.
So why did Amit fake intimacy with Jabareen and inquire about his feelings as if he were a guidance counselor rather than a Supreme Court justice, and as if the only change that had occurred was in the lawyer’s emotions rather than Israel’s Basic Laws?
Israeli Media Outlets to Be Indicted on Charges Related to Netanyahu Corruption Cases
In its announcement Wednesday, the prosecutor’s office stated its intention to indict corporate entities Yedioth Aharonoth and Walla as well as Eurocom group companies through which Elovich controlled Bezeq, subject to a prior hearing. The Elovich group companies are suspected of bribery and money laundering, while Yedioth Aharonoth is accused of offering a bribe.
Supreme Court rejects Texas’s push to overturn Biden victory
In a brief, unsigned order Friday rejecting the petition, the court made clear its view that Texas lacked the legal right to litigate over how other states conduct their elections.
“Texas has not demonstrated a judicially cognizable interest in the manner in which another State conducts its elections,” the ruling states. “All other pending motions are dismissed as moot.”
Supreme Court rejects GOP bid to nullify Biden win in Pennsylvania
The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected a bid by Pennsylvania Republicans to nullify President-elect Joe Biden’s victory in the Keystone State, dealing another blow to the long-shot legal effort by President Trump and his allies to overturn the election in the courts.
Trump associates, including Giuliani, are asking for pardons
Giuliani denied discussing a preemptive pardon with the President, telling CNN that the „(New York) Times is completely wrong.“ He further denied he has talked to anyone at the White House about a pardon for himself.
The New York Times first reported that Giuliani was discussing a pardon with the President.
Defense lawyers rail about unfair prosecutions. Flynn’s case shows why.
(09.05.2020)
Sometimes federal agents are criticized for „creating“ a crime instead of investigating one. Sting operations are examples of crimes that are a consequence of law enforcement actions. Agents create a fictional crime to trick a suspect into attempting to join that crime, thereby creating the crime.
Similarly, Flynn’s crime of lying to government agents was the consequence of the government agents‘ investigation of Flynn. If there was no crime before Flynn’s interview, then there’s little reason to interview Flynn as part of a criminal investigation, unless the agents were looking to create a crime.
Trump announces pardon for Michael Flynn in tweet
President Donald Trump announced in a tweet Wednesday that he has granted his first national security adviser, Michael Flynn, a „full pardon,“ wiping away the guilty plea of the intelligence official, lobbyist and conservative fringe darling for lying to the FBI.
Poland Vows to End Street ‘Revolution’ as Police Quash Protest
Poland won’t allow women-led street protests to trigger a “revolution,” a senior government official said, after police cracked down on a demonstration for abortion rights.
Police pepper sprayed demonstrators and cudgeled them with batons late on Wednesday, drawing condemnation from opposition parties. It was an unprecedented show of force after a month of protests against a court ruling that effectively bans abortion.
Anti-Nuclear Pacifists Get Federal Prison Terms for Nonviolent Protest
… Armed only with vials of their own blood, hammers, GoPro cameras, spray paint, protest banners, and whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg’s book, the activists symbolically attempted to disarm the nuclear weapons located on the Trident submarines at the base.
Supreme Court orders separate count of late-arriving Pa. ballots
The Supreme Court on Friday ordered Pennsylvania election boards to separately count mail ballots that arrived after Election Day, while rejecting a GOP request to stop counting those votes.
The order, signed by conservative Justice Samuel Alito, left open the possibility that the justices could exclude the late-arriving ballots in a subsequent ruling, a move which Alito and at least two other conservative justices have previously signaled they may be inclined to take.
Why the Supreme Court let some states count mail-in ballots received after Election Day but not others
(29.10.2020)
In the final days before the presidential election, the Supreme Court has been pelted with requests from parties in battleground states seeking last minute approval to change election rules, especially regarding whether mail-in votes can arrive after Election Day and still be counted.
‚No Pandemic Exception To The Constitution‘: Court Rejects Minn. Ballot Extension
„The rule of law, as established by the United States Constitution and the Minnesota Legislature, dictates these rules must be followed notwithstanding the Secretary’s instructions to the contrary,“ the assenting judges wrote in explaining their decision.
„There is no pandemic exception to the Constitution.“
Curfew on restaurants and bars in Berlin from 11pm found to lack proportionality by Berlin Admin Court: no evidence infection more likely after 11pm; evidence restaurants & bars were sites of lower transmission.
Berlin Senate is appealing #covid19 #berlin
Federal judge says Cuomo coronavirus restrictions may turn NYC ‘desolate,’ but allows them
Brooklyn U.S. District Judge Brian M. Cogan said safety restrictions and guidelines may even “turn New York City into a very different, even desolate, place compared to how it was before the pandemic,” but he declined to grant a preliminary injunction against rules that prohibit restaurants from serving food after midnight. Indoor dining is also restricted to 25% capacity as of Sept. 30.
Judge Refuses to Block Cuomo’s COVID Restrictions After Brooklyn Catholic Diocese Files Lawsuit
Ruling in a lawsuit brought by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn, U.S. District Court Judge Nicholas Garaufis said in an order Friday that even though the rules harm religious groups, it is not in the public interest to block them if they are helping prevent a wave of new infections.
Crete: Murderer of US biologist Suzanne Eaton gets life sentence
The body 60-year-old Suzanne Eaton, who was in Chania on Crete to attend a conference, was found nearly 10 km away from her hotel, a week after she was reported missing.
Opinion: Gov. Whitmer’s emergency powers ended immediately with ruling
(today)
In response to the Court’s ruling, the governor incorrectly stated that the decision is not effective for another 21 days: Under Michigan Court Rule 7.315(C)(4), “unless otherwise ordered by the Court, an order or judgment is effective when it is issued…” Not 21 days later. Immediately. Her emergency powers are over, and either the Court or the attorney general should publicly clarify that Whitmer’s executive orders no longer have any force of law.
FBI says it foiled plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer
(08.10.2020)
„Several members talked about murdering ‚tyrants‘ or ‚taking‘ a sitting governor,“ an FBI agent wrote in the affidavit. „The group decided they needed to increase their numbers and encouraged each other to talk to their neighbors and spread their message.“
Whitmer slams Supreme Court ruling, warns orders could continue
(02.10.2020)
She warned the court order doesn’t take effect for another 21 days and some of the measures put in place to control the virus can continue under „alternative sources of authority not at issue in today’s ruling.“
Michigan Supreme Court Rules Whitmer’s Shutdown Order ‘In Violation’ Of State Constitution
(03.10.2020)
The court ruled that Whitmer lacked authority under each of the two laws that govern states of emergency in Michigan to extend the state of emergency passed April 30, when her first state of emergency declaration expired, according to Mlive.com. Those two laws are the 1976 Emergency Management Act (EMA) and the 1945 Emergency Powers of the Governor Act (EPGA).
Michigan Supreme Court rules against Gov. Whitmer’s COVID-19 orders
(02.10.2020)
The Michigan Supreme Court ruled on Friday that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer lacked the authority after April 30 to declare a state of emergency under the 1976 Emergency Management Act.
The court also ruled that the 1945 Emergency Powers of the Governor Act (EPGA) was unconstitutional, and that it did not provide a basis for Gov. Whitmer to exercise emergency powers.
Madrid High Court strikes down Health Ministry’s coronavirus restrictions
There was confusion on Thursday as to the immediate effects of the ruling, although it was confirmed that fines cannot now be levied on citizens who flout the perimetral confinement of 10 cities in the region, including the Spanish capital. The court ruling does not, however, have an effect on the other restrictions imposed, such as capacity limits for bars and restaurants, and early closing times for all establishments, as well as a limit of six people for meetings both in public and private.
Moment of truth in trial of members of Greece’s neo-Nazi Golden Dawn
In total, 68 members of the party have been on trial, including Michaloliakos and more than a dozen other former MPs like him who were elected in 2012 as the openly xenophobic group capitalized on anger over joblessness and migration.
Exclusive: Spanish judge seeks Sheldon Adelson security chief in Assange spying case
The judge’s interest in Nagel indicates that the Spanish investigation is now probing the suspected role of US intelligence as the guiding hand behind UC Global’s criminal spying operation.
Before he was hired as Adelson’s director of global security, Nagel serving as the top cyber-crime investigator for the US Secret Service – a role which earned him a medal of commendation from the CIA. Together with Lahav, he was likely to have played a central role in coordinating between Sands, UC Global, and US intelligence.
Three protected witnesses accuse Spanish ex-marine of spying on Julian Assange
(21.09.2020)
Morales traveled to the US once or twice a month allegedly to hand over the material to “the Americans.” A microphone was installed on the PVC plastic base of a fire extinguisher near the meeting room where Assange met with his lawyers. The cyberactivist had placed a device that created white noise in this room, and activated it when he thought he was being spied on. He placed another device in the women’s bathroom, where he sometimes met with his lawyers.
UC Global S. L. was hired by Ecuador’s Senain secret service to provide security services to the embassy when Ecuadorian president Rafael Correa was in power. But according to the three witnesses, Morales ordered the Australian to be spied on and created remote-operated computer servers that collected the illegally obtained information, which could be accessed from the United States.
„I think that there’s a lot of covering up,“ says Lonita Baker, an attorney for Breonna Taylor’s family, of the investigation into Taylor’s death. „We’re not giving up on state-level manslaughter or murder charges in the case… There’s sufficient probable cause here.“
12 of Breonna Taylor’s neighbors NEVER heard police announce themselves before breaking down her door. Did they get a voice at the Grand Jury proceedings? @KYOAG , if you have nothing to hide, release the transcripts so we know the FULL TRUTH of what was presented!
Family of Breonna Taylor hold press conference in Louisville – watch live
(25.09.2020)
Attorney Ben Crump, co-counsels Sam Aguiar and Lonita Baker, and the family of Breonna Taylor hold a press conference at Jefferson Square Park in Louisville, Kentucky
Read the press release from today’s announcement regarding the completion of the investigation into the death of Ms. Breonna Taylor, and the Grand Jury’s decision:
(24.09.2020)
Breonna Taylor’s family, lawyers blast Daniel Cameron over lack of charges in her death
Palmer’s attorneys, Ben Crump, Lonita Baker and Sam Aguiar, specifically called on Cameron to release the grand jury transcript and recording to show what evidence and recommendations he presented.
„What we also want is for you to quit dodging the question. You were asked at the press conference (Wednesday): Did you make a recommendation“ to the grand jury, Baker asked. „You refused to answer. Answer the question: Did you even present any charges regarding Breonna Taylor to the grand jury?“
USC Law professor, students react to Breonna Taylor indictment
(24.09.2020)
Jasmine Caruthers is one of the two students helping Miller and said she had mixed emotions on the decision.
„Part of me was happy that the Taylor family was going to get compensated because they have been through so much. Another part of me was extremely sad because at the end of the day you can’t put a price tag on someone’s life,“ said Caruthers.
Part 2 of Lula’s video on why the attempted extradition and prosecution of Assange is so dangerous, and why the relative silence of western media outlets — including those that partnered with WikiLeaks to publish these documents — is so shameful:
Having investigated this case in my capacity as the #UN #SRTorture, I am absolutely convinced that, if extradited to the USA, #Assange will be exposed to an unfair trial & conditions of detention amounting to #Torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
LIVE UPDATES: ASSANGE HEARING DAY TWELVE—Lewis Challenges Diagnosis of Assange’s Autism
Court is in session. Today’s defense witnesses are to be Dr. Quinton Deeley, an honorary consultant psychiatrist in the National Autism Unit, Adult ADHD Service, and Behavioural Genetics and Autism Assessment Clinic & Paul Mullen, Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry at Monash University, Melbourne.
ASSANGE EXTRADITION: Craig Murray: Your Man in the Public Gallery: Assange Hearing—Day 11
The only possible conclusion from yesterday’s testimony is that the performance of the representative of the United States Government was, in and of itself, full and sufficient evidence that there is no possibility that Julian Assange will receive fair consideration and treatment of his mental health issues within the United States system. The US government has just demonstrated that to us, in open court, to perfection.
Kopelman said Assange’s auditory hallucinations tell him things like “you’re worthless”, “you’re nothing”, “you’re dust”, “you’re dead”, and to kill himself.
The prosecution argued these were self-reported. Kopelman pointed out hallucinations are always self-reported. 13/
Prosecutor James Lewis also attempted to discredit UN Special Rapporteur on Torture @NilsMelzer , dismissing his report after visiting Assange at Belmarsh prison as “palpable nonsense”. Melzer’s report detailed the effects of psychological torture on Assange. 19/
AMLO Will Seek a Referendum To Prosecute Former Presidents
Since August, activists from different political parties have been asking people to sign a petition to demand that former presidents Carlos Salinas de Gortari, Felipe Calderón, and Enrique Peña Nieto be judge over corruption charges.
Iran: Secret execution of wrestler Navid Afkari a ‘travesty of justice’
Before his secret execution Navid Afkari, 27, was subjected to a shocking catalogue of human rights violations and crimes, including enforced disappearance; torture and other ill-treatment, leading to forced “confessions”; and denial of access to a lawyer and other fair trial guarantees.
“This young man desperately sought help in court to receive a fair trial and prove his innocence. Leaked voice recordings of him in court expose how his pleas for judges to investigate his torture complaints and bring another detainee who had witnessed his torture to testify were unlawfully and cruelly ignored,” said Diana Eltahawy.
CIA ‘Obsessed’ With Former UK Envoy Who Will Testify in Spying-on-Assange Case
The former British ambassador to Uzbekistan and a close associate of imprisoned WikiLeaks publisher Julian Assange says he was the “top target” of the 24/7 surveillance of Assange at Ecuador’s embassy in London by the Spanish security company UC Global, which, according to press reports and court documents, shared the surveillance with the CIA.
Craig Murray said he has been contacted by an attorney in the spying case on Assange and that he will be going to Madrid to testify. The founder of UC Global, David Morales, was arrested over the surveillance (including privileged Assange-lawyer conversations) and is on trial.
Murray told former CIA analyst Ray McGovern in an email, shared with Consortium News with Murray’s permission, that the CIA was “obsessed” with him.
Freedom of religion is our first freedom. Yet SCOTUS has ruled that casinos can host hundreds of gamblers, while churches cannot welcome their full congregations. Justice Roberts once again got it wrong, shamefully closing church doors to their flocks.
Conservatives blast Supreme Court ruling: Roberts has ‚abandoned his oath‘
Conservative lawmakers blasted Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts after he sided with the court’s liberal justices in a 5-4 decision Friday that rejected a Nevada church’s request to block the state government from enforcing a cap on attendance at religious services.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) tweeted early Saturday morning that Roberts had „abandoned his oath.“
Supreme Court again rejects church challenge to virus restriction
The decision was a 5-4 ruling, with Chief Justice John Roberts joining the liberal wing.
The court’s order was unsigned and did not provide any reasoning, common practice when the high court acts on emergency applications. The court’s conservative justices filed three dissents.
Japan’s Top Court Says 45 Million Twitter Users Must Check That Anything They Retweet Is Not A Copyright Infringement
The case concerns a photo of a flower, originally posted on a web site in 2009, with the photographer’s name and copyright notice. As often happens, the photo was then tweeted without the photographer’s consent, and was further retweeted.
(…)
As a result, the Japanese High Court ordered Twitter to hand over the email addresses of all those who had posted the image.
Judge calls for review after CSIS fails to flag info likely obtained illegally
In his ruling released Thursday, Federal Court Justice Patrick Gleeson found the Canadian Security Intelligence Service breached its duty of candour to the court, part of a troubling pattern dating back years.
Israeli court dismisses Amnesty bid to block spyware firm NSO
A Tel Aviv court has rejected a legal case filed by Amnesty International that attempted to block the Israeli spyware firm NSO Group from selling its cyberweapons internationally.
The rights groups sought to force the Israeli defence ministry to revoke NSO Group’s export licence for its leading phone-hacking software, Pegasus. Amnesty’s lawyers alleged the product had been used by repressive governments to target activists, including one the rights group’s own researchers, as well as journalists.
Israel: Court rejects bid to revoke notorious spyware firm NSO Group’s export licence
“Today’s disgraceful ruling is a cruel blow to people put at risk around the world by NSO Group selling its products to notorious human rights abusers. At a moment when NSO and the Israeli MOD should be held accountable for their practices, it is appalling that the court has failed to do so.
“NSO Group continues to profit from human rights abuses with impunity. The ruling of the court flies in the face of the mountains of evidence of NSO Group’s spyware being used to target human rights defenders from Saudi Arabia to Mexico, including the basis of this case – the targeting of one of our own Amnesty employees. We will continue to do all we can to stop NSO Group’s spyware being used to commit human rights abuses.
New documents show internal debate over whether to prosecute Flynn
The newly public documents include notes of a Jan. 25, 2017 meeting between FBI and DOJ officials in which Deputy Assistant Attorney General Tashina Gauhar included several passages indicating that the agents who interviewed Flynn about his dealings with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak saw no indication Flynn was trying to deceive them. Gauhar recounts that the agents thought Flynn was “being forthright” and “believe[d] that F. believe[d] that what he said was true.”
Comey’s FBI: -Believed Michael Flynn was telling the truth. -Knew Flynn wasn’t a Russian agent. But went after Flynn with a bogus perjury charge. Wow.
Five takeaways from Supreme Court’s rulings on Trump tax returns
Roberts laid out a list of factors for courts to consider when weighing such subpoenas but stressed that the list was not comprehensive, noting how rarely interbranch disputes have come before the court over the nation’s history.
“Other considerations may be pertinent as well; one case every two centuries does not afford enough experience for an exhaustive list,” the chief justice wrote
Supreme Court grants NY prosecutors access to Trump’s tax returns, rebuffs Congress
The Supreme Court in a split decision on Thursday granted New York state prosecutors access to President Trump’s tax returns, even as it shielded a trove of his financial records from Congress.
The justices upheld a Manhattan district attorney subpoena for eight years of Trump’s financial documents, including his personal and corporate tax returns. But they declined to grant Congress access to records subpoenaed by a trio of Democratic-led House committees.
Netanyahu lawyer quits ahead of second corruption hearing set for July 19
The 70-year-old premier, whose personal fortune has been estimated at more than $10 million, was also ordered to return some of the money he received from his American cousin Nathan Milikowsky to cover legal expenses.
Following those setbacks, defense lawyer Micha Fettman resigned from the right-wing premier’s defense team.
Multiple Israeli media outlets reported Wednesday that the resignation was linked to money and the prospect that Fettman’s fees would not be covered.
UN slams Donald Trump for killing Iranian General Soleimani because there was ‚insufficient evidence he was behind an ongoing or imminent attack‘
A U.N. human rights investigator issued the report on Monday noting that the January 3 attack which killed Iranian General Soleimani violated the U.N. charter
She said that the US had failed to provide sufficient evidence to justify the strike
She is calling for accountability for targeted killings by armed drones, like those used in the US strike
President Trump had authorized the strike against Soleimani months beforehand
Justices Rule States Can Bind Presidential Electors‘ Votes
The Supreme Court ruled unanimously Monday that states can require presidential electors to back their states’ popular vote winner in the Electoral College.
Supreme Court temporarily blocks court order that cleared the way for expanded vote by mail in Alabama due to Covid-19
The court’s decision also comes as President Donald Trump has repeatedly disparaged voting by mail as prone to fraud. The President has claimed, without evidence, that there is systemic cheating with mail-in ballots and has made false accusations against states that are expanding absentee and mail-in options, despite voting by mail himself.
Numerous studies suggest that voter fraud is all but nonexistent in the US, and the President’s own voter fraud commission disbanded without finding any evidence to back up his claims.
Supreme Court declines to fast-track Texas Democrats‘ bid to expand mail-in voting before July primary
Texas currently only allows absentee ballots from elderly, disabled, incarcerated or traveling voters. The state’s Democrats have been seeking to expand the definition of „disabled“ to include those who fear coronavirus exposure during in-person voting.
A #Jerusalem court has released former Air Force general and leading activist opposed to #Netanyahu whose arrest prompted hundreds to protest outside the prime minister’s residence.
Israeli Court Orders Leader of Protest Against Netanyahu Released From Police Custody
The organizers said that over the course of the week, they will establish a protest tent on Tel Aviv’s Rothschild Boulevard – recalling the tent city that had been erected there during the social protests of 2012.
Additional protests are taking place at some 70 intersections throughout the country. Dozens of protesters are present at each junction, holding signs reading „Netanyahu is corrupt and corrupts,“ „Investigation now“ (referring to the so-called submarine affair), „The defendent needs to go home,“ and other slogans.
Supreme Court Turns Down Request to Allow All Texans to Vote by Mail
The state’s primary runoff election, which was postponed in light of the pandemic, is scheduled to be held on July 14. Judge Biery’s ruling also applied to the general election in November.
Trump White House wins court ruling upholding plan to require insurers and hospitals to disclose prices
(24.05.2020)
The Trump administration won a court ruling Tuesday upholding its plan to require insurers and hospitals to disclose the actual prices for common tests and procedures in a bid to promote competition and push down costs.
Geoffrey Berman is leaving office immediately after standoff with Trump administration
Berman leaves behind a string of high-profile prosecutions and investigations. Since he became US attorney in early 2018, the office has prosecuted Trump’s former attorney Michael Cohen, is investigating top Trump confidante Rudy Giuliani and indicted the former New York mayor’s associates Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman.
Oklahoma Supreme Court denies appeal to enforce social distancing at Trump rally
The Oklahoma Supreme Court denied a legal request to require that social distancing be enforced at President Trump’s campaign rally on Saturday, according to media reports Friday.
The decision comes in response to a lawsuit brought by two attorneys on behalf of city residents, businesses and immunocompromised individuals who claimed that the rally would put the community at increased risk of coronavirus infection.
Victory for free speech as France’s supreme court crushes authoritarian “hate speech” laws
France’s Supreme Court equivalent rejected most parts of a bill that would obligate social media companies to remove so-called hate speech within 24 hours.
The ruling by the Constitutional Council on Thursday, June 18, 2020, is a win for free speech and even for big social media companies such as Twitter and Facebook.
Trump Can’t Immediately End DACA, Supreme Court Rules
The program, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, protects people brought to the United States as children by shielding them from deportation and letting them work.
Workers can’t be fired for being gay or transgender, Supreme Court rules
The Supreme Court on Monday ruled 6-3 in a landmark decision that gay and transgender employees are protected by civil rights laws against employer discrimination.
A set of cases that came before the court had asked the justices to decide whether Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which forbids discrimination on the basis of „sex,“ applies to gay and transgender people.
International Criminal Court oversight chief ‘deeply regrets’ US decision to target officials investigating Afghanistan war crimes
The decision, announced on Thursday by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, national security adviser, Robert O’Brien, defence secretary, Mark Esper and attorney general, William Barr, targets ICC officials investigating war crimes allegedly committed in Afghanistan by all sides, including the US, and will also see visa restrictions imposed on their families.
Israel: Iyad al-Hallak’s family says authorities hiding security footage
A petition was filed by the family requesting that footage of Iyad’s death be released, but an Israeli court struck it down last week following a police request.
At a funeral held for al-Hallak, his relatives alleged that his death would have been treated differently if he had not been a Palestinian and accused the Israel Police of using lethal violence over nothing but a mere suspicion.
ASP President O-Gon Kwon rejects measures taken against ICC
I will convene an extraordinary meeting of the Bureau of the Assembly next week to consider how to renew our unwavering commitment to the Court.
I call upon the States Parties and all the stakeholders in the Rome Statute system to reiterate once more our relentless commitment to uphold and defend the principles and values enshrined in the Statute and to preserve its integrity undeterred by any measures and threats against the Court and its officials, staff and their families.
U.S. Decision to Sanction International Crime Court Was Coordinated With Israel, Source Says
The move was discussed in a meeting between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Jerusalem last month, the source said on Thursday.
U.S. Stonewalls Israel on Info About Netanyahu’s Stock Portfolio in Potential New Probe
A source familiar with the request to the American authorities said, “There is no evidence that the delay in receiving answers is politically motivated, but it is certainly exceptional and makes one wonder.”
Israel’s High Court Strikes Down West Bank Land-grab Law as ‚Unconstitutional‘
Israel’s High Court of Justice ordered on Tuesday to nullify a law that would legalize the status of settlements partially built on privately owned Palestinian land under the claim that it is „unconstitutional.“
Boogaloo arrests reveal new extremist agenda to hijack protests
(06.06.2020)
Undercover FBI agents learned the Las Vegas defendants were planning to firebomb a Nevada Energy substation on May 28 to create unrest in Las Vegas, according to the federal complaint.
Far-Right Extremists in Las Vegas Charged with Plotting Terror Attacks
(05.06.2020)
In related news, federal prosecutors in Las Vegas have charged three men connected to the far-right extremist Boogaloo movement with inciting violence during the recent protests and conspiracy to commit terrorism. The three men all had experience in the U.S. military.
Indigenous Ecuadorean Organization Wins UN 2020 Equator Prize
The organization has been accompanying significant legal victories against extractivist companies and for the survival of original nations in Ecuador, including the triumph last year of the Waorani in a historical trial against oil firms.
“Amazon means life for our world. For us, as Indigenous peoples, it is our home,” the organization said.
Federal judge orders police not to use chemical weapons, projectiles against peaceful Denver protesters
A federal judge issued an extraordinary ruling late Friday ordering police not to use chemical weapons — such as tear gas and pepper spray — and less-lethal projectiles against peaceful protesters in Denver.
NY judge rules NYPD can keep protest detainees over 24 hours
(04.06.2020)
Judge Burke ruled in favor of the NYPD because of the coronavirus pandemic. „Therefore, I find it is necessary because we are in a crisis caused by the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic which prevents live arraignments, which in turn requires virtual arraignment which causes delay.“
U.S. Court Blocks Sales of Bayer’s Dicamba Herbicide
German agrochemicals group Bayer AG has been blocked from selling its dicamba herbicide in the United States after an appeals court rejected a federal regulator’s permit for the product.
If most people, particularly people of color, had done what a police officer did late Monday, they’d already be behind bars. That’s why today I’m calling on Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman to charge the arresting officer in this case.
(27.05.2020)
Handling of Flynn case should concern all Americans
Regardless of our political leanings, what happened to Michael Flynn should concern every American. While we should insist on details about his case, a more important question needs to be answered:
How many other people have been treated similarly by the FBI and other law enforcement agencies?
Facebook: Here’s Proof Israeli WhatsApp Hackers Ran Cyberweapons In America
(24.04.2020)
The tech giant’s counsel filed a response to NSO’s move for dismissal that included two IP addresses and a handful of websites it claims were used by NSO Group to attack WhatsApp users in spring 2019. One was hosted by Amazon Web Services in the U.S., the others by Californian company QuadraNet and a German provider.
WhatsApp: Israeli firm ‚deeply involved‘ in hacking our users
(29.04.2020)
According to WhatsApp’s filing, NSO gained “unauthorised access” to its servers by reverse-engineering the messaging app and then evading the company’s security features that prevent manipulation of the company’s call features. One WhatsApp engineer who investigated the hacks said in a sworn statement submitted to the court that in 720 instances, the IP address of a remote server was included in the malicious code used in the attacks. The remote server, the engineer said, was based in Los Angeles and owned by a company whose data centre was used by NSO.
S Africa court issues orders to end police abuse during lockdown
Human rights groups and experts have welcomed a series of orders issued by a South African court that compel authorities to prevent police and army brutality during the enforcement of a lockdown meant to curb the spread of coronavirus.
Obama Warns That Dropped Charges Against Flynn Put ‘Rule of Law’ at Risk
“There is no precedent that anybody can find for somebody who has been charged with perjury just getting off scot-free,” Mr. Obama said on a call with thousands of supporters who worked in his administration or campaigns.
Defense lawyers rail about unfair prosecutions. Flynn’s case shows why.
Sometimes federal agents are criticized for „creating“ a crime instead of investigating one. Sting operations are examples of crimes that are a consequence of law enforcement actions. Agents create a fictional crime to trick a suspect into attempting to join that crime, thereby creating the crime.
Similarly, Flynn’s crime of lying to government agents was the consequence of the government agents‘ investigation of Flynn. If there was no crime before Flynn’s interview, then there’s little reason to interview Flynn as part of a criminal investigation, unless the agents were looking to create a crime.
Georgia shooting case will go to grand jury as disturbing video surfaces online
That was the case Feb. 23, when Arbery was spotted jogging through his neighborhood by Gregory McMichael, who believed Arbery looked like a suspect in a spate of recent break-ins, according to a police report published by the New York Times.
Only one burglary was reported to the Glynn County Police Department in the Satilla Shores neighborhood between Jan. 1 and Feb. 23, and it involved a pistol taken from a pickup truck outside of Travis McMichael’s home, the Brunswick News reported.
Did the FBI target Michael Flynn to protect Obama’s policies, not national security?
How would you like to be investigated by the FBI because you disagreed with the president’s policies? Sounds a little KGB-ish, you might think — and you’d be right, because the FBI has zero authority to conduct such an investigation. But the more we learn about the FBI’s investigation of Michael Flynn, the more it appears he was targeted precisely because, as the national security adviser to the incoming Trump administration, he signaled that the new administration might undo Obama administration policies — which is kind of what the American people voted for in 2016.
Likud, Blue and White agree to revise unity deal after Supreme Court condemnation
The parties also decided that emergency orders instated to fight the coronavirus pandemic would not extend beyond six months.
The bill known as the „Norwegian law,“ which allows any Member of Knesset (Israel Parliament) appointed to a ministerial post to temporarily resign from the legislative chamber, will reportedly be dropped.
Peru’s opposition leader Keiko Fujimori freed from prison
Fujimori had asked to be released due to fears she might contract the novel coronavirus in the Chorrillos women’s jail.
Protest against Netanyahu-Gantz coalition deal draws thousands
The Israeli justice system has received eight complaints from good governance groups and lawmakers concerning the terms of the coalition agreement and the possibility of Netanyahu leading the government despite facing multiple indictments in a wide-ranging corruption investigation.
Israel’s Top Court Hears Petitions to Bar Netanyahu From Forming Government
Expanded panel hears arguments Sunday on request that prime minister be disqualified over the criminal charges against him
Israelis Protest Netanyahu-Gantz Government on Eve of High Court Hearing
The so-called „Black Flag“ protests were organized by the Movement for Quality Government under the slogan “Saving the court, saying no to corrupt government”. Protesters carried signs that read „We’re sick of corruption“ and „emergency government, corruption government“. At the mention of members of Benny Gantz’s Kahol Lavan party the crowd booed and shouted, „Shame!“
Michael Flynn case places both FBI integrity and civil liberty on the line
More than a year ago I wrote a series of columns that made the point that former national security adviser Michael Flynn had been set up by the FBI and may have committed no crime. I repeated my legal arguments in several interviews. This led the professional Trump-bashers — who care more about “getting” Trump than about protecting civil liberties — to attack me for “inventing” legal principles that help the Trump team.
Well, it now turns out that I was right all along.
Trump says he would consider bringing Flynn back into administration
The documents released Wednesday show FBI agents discussing how to handle a January 2017 interview with Flynn, who was still working as Trump’s national security adviser at the time.
„What’s our goal? Truth/Admission or to get him to lie, so we can prosecute him or get him fired?“ an unnamed FBI agent wrote in a handwritten note included among the documents. „If we get him to admit to breaking the Logan Act, give facts to DOJ & have them decide. Or, if he initially lies, then we present him [redacted] & he admits it, document for DOJ, & let them decide how to address it.“
Explosive Revelations in the Flynn Case
(27.04.2020)
As I’ve noted several times over the years, it has long been speculated that Flynn — though he did not believe he was guilty (and though the agents who interviewed him also did not believe he had intentionally misled them) — nevertheless pled guilty to false-statements charges because prosecutors from Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s staff threatened him. Specifically, Flynn is said to have been warned that, if he refused to plead guilty, prosecutors would charge his son with a felony for failing to register with the Justice Department as a foreign agent. Such a so-called FARA violation (Foreign Agent Registration Act) is a crime that the DOJ almost never charged before the Mueller investigation, and it had dubious application to Flynn’s son (who worked for Flynn’s private-intelligence firm).
‚Get him to lie‘: MSNBC’s Ari Melber breaks down new Russia probe Flynn docs
New developments in a key case from the Mueller probe. Former national security advisor Michael Flynn had pled guilty to lying to the feds in a cooperation deal. For the first time, we are seeing how they approached him. MSNBC’s Chief Legal Correspondent Ari Melber analyzes all the documents, giving you a fascinating look inside the probe.
Facebook Alleges Israeli Spyware Firm NSO Ran Attack Servers on U.S. Soil
(26.04.2020)
NSO also claimed that it and Q Cyber are entitled to immunity because they operate in the service of foreign countries. Facebook claims that the Israeli companies are not entitled to such immunity under U.S. law.
Court Rules Detroit Students Have Constitutional Right To An Education
For decades, civil rights lawyers have tried to help students and families in underfunded schools by arguing that the U.S. Constitution guarantees children at least a basic education. Federal courts have consistently disagreed. Until now.
The ability to read and write is „essential“ for a citizen to participate in American democracy, the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on Thursday.
Beyond Words. Assange’s COVID-19 Bail Related Application
Yesterday Mark Sommers QC, the extremely erudite and bookish second counsel for Julian Assange in his extradition hearing, trembled with anger in court. Magistrate Vanessa Baraitser had just made a ruling that the names of Julian Assange’s partner and young children could be published, which she stated was in the interests of “open justice”.
Wisconsin Supreme Court Sides With GOP Over Absentee Voting Guidance
(31.03.2020)
The Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Republican Party of Wisconsin on Tuesday in a case related to Wisconsin’s upcoming election.
The party brought the case against Dane County Clerk Scott McDonell last week.
McDonell issued guidance last week that any Dane County voter confined by the COVID-19 pandemic could mark themselves as „indefinitely confined“ on their absentee ballot application. Doing so would allow them to bypass the state’s voter ID requirement in their application.
Israel: Vote for Knesset Speaker to be held Thursday, Supreme Court orders
Israel’s Supreme Court ordered a Thursday vote to elect a new Knesset (Israeli Parliament) speaker after Yuli Edelstein announced his resignation Wednesday, allowing senior MKAmir Peretz to lead the plenary.
The court decided late Wednesday night to hold the vote Thursday.
The High Court ruled Thursday overnight that chairman of the Labor Party Amir Peretz will be appointed as the temporary Knesset Speaker
High Court Appoints Temporary Knesset Speaker to Elect Replacement
In the ruling, Supreme Court President Justice Esther Hayut attacked Edelstein, saying he had committed „an unprecedented violation of the rule of law.“ Hayut had strongly criticized Edelstein’s decision to lock the plenary contrary to the court’s decision.
Earlier, the High Court debated a petition to accuse Edelstein of dishonoring the court, after he resigned earlier Wednesday, locking the Knesset plenum contrary to the court’s decision, which ruled that a new Speaker will be selected by Wednesday midnight.
Top Likud Ministers Change Tune on High Court Ruling, Back Vote on Knesset Speaker
Hanegbi, who heads the Agriculture Ministry, and Elkin, minister for Jerusalem affairs and environmental protection, are joining Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan and Likud parliamentarian Gideon Sa’ar, who is known as a Netanyahu rival, in supporting the court’s decision.
Despite also voicing criticism of the ruling, on Monday Erdan said „we must respect the ruling or else resign ourselves to anarchy,“ while Sa’ar stressed that calls not to accept a direct court ruling are „unacceptable.“
Didn’t take long for the High Court to get back to Edelstein and now they’re not “requesting” any more. They’re ordering him in a 19-page ruling to let the vote for his replacement go ahead by Wednesday + accusing him of undermining democracy.
Crazy turn of events.
High Court rules Edelstein must allow vote for new Speaker
The High Court ruled in a unanimous decision Monday that Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein must convene the Knesset no later than Wednesday, to elect his replacement.
Former member of Israel-backed militia killed in Lebanon
The Lebanese-American man, Amer Fakhoury, had been jailed in Lebanon since September and charged with murder and torture of prisoners at the same SLA-run prison — charges he denied. A Lebanese judge ordered him released last week, saying more than 10 years had passed since the alleged crimes.
U.S. officials confirmed Fakhoury was aboard a U.S. Marine V-22 Osprey seen taking off from the U.S. Embassy compound northeast of Beirut on Thursday.
Don’t let constitutional rights be a victim of this virus
But the Justice Department’s request doesn’t stop there. Instead, the department has also included an idea that should be immediately rejected: letting federal court chief judges halt all court proceedings during an emergency. This provision would apply to “any statutes or rules of procedure otherwise affecting pre-arrest, post-arrest, pre-trial, trial, and post-trial procedures in criminal and juvenile proceedings and all civil process and proceedings.”
DOJ seeks new emergency powers amid coronavirus pandemic
“Not only would it be a violation of that, but it says ‘affecting pre-arrest,’” said Norman L. Reimer, the executive director of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. “So that means you could be arrested and never brought before a judge until they decide that the emergency or the civil disobedience is over. I find it absolutely terrifying. Especially in a time of emergency, we should be very careful about granting new powers to the government.”
Court Finally Releases Chelsea Manning After Suicide Attempt
I have previously objected to how the Justice Department uses grand juries to punish certain individuals who refuse to cooperate with federal investigations.
Judge orders Chelsea Manning’s release from jail in Virginia
Ordering Manning’s release, Judge Anthony J Trenga wrote: “The court finds Ms Manning’s appearance before the grand jury is no longer needed, in light of which her detention no longer serves any coercive purpose.”
Federal court rules against old-growth Tongass logging plan
Eight conservation organizations, represented by the nonprofit environmental law firm Earthjustice, challenged the logging plan on the grounds that, among other claims, it had violated the National Environmental Policy Act, which gives people a say in government actions that will affect their communities.
Trial of Programmer Accused in C.I.A. Leak Ends in Hung Jury
Prosecutors were careful to avoid details about specific operations. During cross-examination, Ms. Shroff asked one C.I.A. witness: “Do you recall a time when the C.I.A. covertly tried to read Angela Merkel’s emails?” referring to the German chancellor.
The government objected, and the judge stopped the witness from answering.
What Chelsea Manning teaches us about the U.S. military’s mental health crisis
(17.01.2017)
In Iraq, a sign hung above the desks of the targeting analysts in the intelligence shop where Manning worked: “If you think for one second you can come in here and bug us with sissy shit you might want to rethink your pathetic life.”
Some Super Tuesday Votes Won’t Count Unless Dallas Judge Fixes Democrat Election Official’s Mistake
Dallas County Elections Administrator Toni Pippins-Poole will be in district court today asking a state judge to allow a partial recount of the March 3 primary, due to “counting errors” found days after the ballot count was complete.
In a petition filed Friday night, the Democrat official said she discovered “discrepancies” between the number of voters who checked in at the polls and the number of electronic ballots counted:
Former Acting Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Indicted on Theft of Government Property and Scheme to Defraud the United States Government
Although Edwards had left DHS-OIG in December 2013, he continued to leverage his relationship with Venkata and other DHS-OIG employees to steal the software and the sensitive government databases.
Fix the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, and Punish the Crooks Who Abused It
Horowitz discovered premeditated fraud on the FISC by a DOJ attorney. In 2016, the attorney „altered“ email from „the other U.S. government agency“ (CIA) and submitted a fraudulent application for a warrant to the court. So the FISC approved the warrant.
The target: Carter Page, a Naval Academy graduate and a former Trump presidential campaign associate. Spying on Page — an innocent man — opened a door to spying on President Donald Trump.
Surveillance court judge bars some DOJ and FBI officials from warrant process
U.S. District Judge James Boasberg, the presiding judge on the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC), issued an order Wednesday setting out an additional framework for the Justice Department and FBI to follow in future FISA proceedings. The order specifies that „no DOJ or FBI personnel under disciplinary or criminal review relating to their work on FISA applications shall participate in drafting, verifying, verifying, reviewing or submitting such applications to the court.“
Anti-Netanyahu bill has majority support with Liberman vote
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suffered a blow on Thursday afernoon when Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Liberman endorsed Blue and White leader Benny Gantz’s efforts to pass a law that would prevent an indicted MK from forming a government.
Top Israeli Military Brass to Be Indicted in Submarine Affair
(28.02.2020)
Prosecutors said in December they intended to file an indictment in the case against the key suspects in the affair: former naval chief Eliezer Merom; Netanyahu’s attorney and confidant David Shimron; and Ganor.
The suspicions published in December said Ganor and Bar-Yosef, who got to know each other during their military service, met in 2009 when Bar-Yosef proposed they cooperate to advance Ganor’s being named as ThyssenKrupp’s agent in Israel, because he “wanted to get some monetary value out of it.”
If Venezuelan Embassy Protectors Are Retried, Jury Should Hear About US Crimes
The Embassy Protectors Defense Committee is calling for all charges to be dropped against the four protectors and is seeking support for their legal defense. Both the White House and members of Congress should be confronted over the illegal and immoral aggression that the U.S. is perpetrating against the people of Venezuela.
Queen’s Counsel Charges vs. Assange „Significantly Overwrought“
We are about to see how malleable the British Court system is to diktat from Washington. Will the British embrace the flimsiest of circumstantial “evidence” from U.S. security services that have axes to grind?
Will British officials turn their back on 800 years of progress on the human rights wrested from King John at Runnymede? Are there today no “English Nobles” to thwart the obscene “legal” proceedings aimed at extraditing WikiLeaks publisher Julian Assange to a US prison for publishing the truth about US and UK war crimes?
First They Came for Assange…
So, mainstream American publishers – of newspapers, online sites, and even cable news producers – really ought to brush up on their Evelyn Beatrice Hall; you know her oft-quoted, but rarely practiced profession: „I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.“
Ultimately, it matters not whether one likes Assange, shares his worldview, or even approves of his tactics. The name of the civil libertarian game must instead be a press-sovereignty solidarity that transcends the person of Mr. Assange. Love him or hate him; like WikiLeaks or loathe it; the most powerful American press organizations must close ranks with Assange.
Germany overturns ban on professionally assisted suicide
(today)
The court backed complaints by a group of terminally ill patients and doctors who challenged the law that made „commercial promotion of assisted suicide“ a criminal offence.
Assisted dying had been legal.
US ‚plotted to kill Julian Assange and make it look like an accident‘: Spies discussed kidnapping or poisoning WikiLeaks founder in Ecuadorean embassy, extradition trial hears
Referring to witness two’s evidence, Mr Fitzgerald said: ‚There were conversations about whether there should be more extreme measures contemplated, such as kidnapping or poisoning Julian Assange in the embassy.‘
Reading from a witness statement, Mr Fitzgerald continued: ‚David (Morales) said the Americans were desperate and had even suggested more extreme measures could be applied against the guest to put an end to the situation.‘
Julian Assange was ‚handcuffed 11 times and stripped naked‘
Julian Assange was handcuffed 11 times, stripped naked twice and had his case files confiscated after the first day of his extradition hearing, according to his lawyers, who complained of interference in his ability to take part.
Their appeal to the judge overseeing the trial at Woolwich crown court in south-east London was also supported by legal counsel for the US government, who said it was essential the WikiLeaks founder be given a fair trial.
Intercepted Bonus: Inside the Secretive Court at Guantanamo Bay as CIA Torture Architect Testifies
During this hearing, the architect of the CIA’s torture program, Dr. James Mitchell, was brought to the war court as a witness. This was the first time that Mitchell appeared in open court. Williams describes her reporting trip, Mitchell’s testimony, and how the legacy of CIA torture has impacted the 9/11 case for nearly eight years.
Bayer Faces More Monsanto Pain With BASF After Dicamba Judgment
Bev Randles, one of Bader’s lawyers, said the $265 million verdict sends a message to all U.S. corporations.
“There is no giant too big,” she said. “Everyone has to follow the law.”
The case is Bader Farms v. Monsanto Co., 16-cv-00299, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Missouri (Cape Girardeau).
Trial Against Venezuelan Embassy Protectors in US Called Null
Members of the jury could not reach a unanimous decision whether to condemn or not Adrienne Pine, David Paul, Kevin Zeese and Margaret Flowers, the four pro-Venezuela activists accused „interfering with the functions of the US Department of State.“
More than 100 prominent Germans appeal for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange’s release from prison
The German appeal, which is supported by Reporters Without Borders Germany, as well as members of Amnesty International, Transparency International, the German Journalists’ Union (dju), the Whistleblower Network and the writers’ association PEN-Germany, calls on the British Government to “release Julian Assange from prison immediately so that he can recover under specialist medical supervision and exercise his basic rights without hindrance”.
About the judicial decision today in Brazil rejecting the criminal charges brought against me. In sum: this ruling, while good, is insufficient as a protection of core press freedom. We will continue reporting and will also go to the Supreme Court for an even stronger ruling:
Brazilian Judge Declines to Move Forward With Charges Against Glenn Greenwald “for Now”
In the absence of the injunction issued by a Supreme Court minister that prohibited investigations into Greenwald related to this case, Leite said he would have let the charges against Greenwald move forward. The judge also said that, if the Supreme Court injunction were to be overturned, he would be open to charging Greenwald.
Stand With Glenn Greenwald
In an obvious attempt to retaliate against The Intercept’s critical reporting on abuses committed by Brazilian judicial officials, prosecutors have filed a criminal complaint against our co-founder Glenn Greenwald.
There is no democracy without a free press. We ask advocates for press freedom everywhere to join in condemning the Bolsonaro government’s transparent effort to intimidate and criminalize journalists.
CIA Used Prisoner As ‚Training Prop‘ For Torture, Psychologist Testifies
She said six to eight CIA employees took part in al-Baluchi’s interrogation session.
One employee „explained his role as a student doing on-the job training.“ Another said that before al-Baluchi’s interrogation, he had felt he was falling behind „because he needed to practice interrogation techniques.“ Others said they were „trying to learn what they were doing and how to apply coercion.“ That’s according to a classified CIA report, portions of which defense attorneys were permitted by the government to read in open court.
The Intercept Condemns Brazilian Criminal Complaint Against Glenn Greenwald as an Attack on Free Press
On Tuesday, a federal prosecutor in Brazil announced a denunciation of American journalist and Intercept co-founder Glenn Greenwald related to his work on a series of stories published on The Intercept and The Intercept Brasil. The denunciation is a criminal complaint that would open the door to further judicial proceedings. It alleges that Greenwald “directly assisted, encouraged and guided” individuals who reportedly obtained access to online chats used by prosecutors and others involved in Operation Car Wash, a yearslong, sprawling anti-corruption investigation that roiled Brazilian politics.
The denunciation will now go before a judge who can approve or deny the request for charges.
For years, @ggreenwald has exposed abuses at the highest levels of government and his investigative journalism deserves our support. If we allow the powerful to silence such journalists, our democracy and freedom is in peril. #StandWithGreenwald
Architect of C.I.A. Interrogation Program Testifies at Guantánamo Bay
Dr. Mitchell, a former contract psychologist for the C.I.A., expressed no regrets or contrition, tearfully saying he did it for the American people at a time when President George W. Bush’s administration feared a follow-on attack by airplane or nuclear bomb to the Sept. 11 hijackings that killed 2,976 people.
“I’d get up today and do it again,” he said.
Iran’s justice orders military court to conduct immediate probe into plane crash
Judiciary chief Ebrahim Raisi issued an order on Saturday, calling on the military court to gather all the related data and documents from Iran’s General Staff of the Armed Forces, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps and the country’s Civil Aviation Organization.
Raisi also called for testimonies from the officials who were implicated and informed on the matter.
Iran’s Prosecutor General Mohammad Jafar Montazeri ordered Tehran’s military court to conduct a swift investigation into the incident.
Iran Admits Its Air Defence ‘Unintentionally’ Hit Ukrainian Plane
4- The General Staff of the Armed Forces offers condolences and expresses sympathy with the bereaved families of the Iranian and foreign victims, and apologizes for the human error. It also gives full assurances that it will make major revision in the operational procedures of its armed forces in order to make impossible the recurrence of such errors. It will also immediately hand over the culprits to the Judicial Organization of the Armed Forces for prosecution.
5- The relevant authorities at the IRGC were also instructed to appear on state TV and give detailed explanation of the incident as soon as possible.
„We insist on full admission of guilt“: Zelensky reacts to Iran’s PS752 downing statement
The Ukrainian leader hopes the investigation will continue without any artificial delays and obstacles.
Sex for Judgeship: Evidence Against Israel’s Top Lawyer Obtained Through Hacked Phone
(18.01.2019)
Police suspect Nave had sexual relations with the judge in exchange for her promotion as well as with the wife of another judge in exchange for his advancement.
Nave has been a dominant and influential figure on Israel’s legal scene since 2015, when he ousted the president of the Bar Association and took leadership of the professional organization that represents the country’s 59,000 attorneys.
A Probe That Exposes the Corruption Behind Israel’s Judicial Appointments
(today)
Nave, who had an alliance with former Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked, who was friends with Attorney General Avichai Mendelblit, who would routinely meet with senior politicians and dreamed of becoming a cabinet minister himself someday exploited his position of power to the hilt. Like a vote contractor for a ruling party, he took advantage of his role to gain sexual favors, connections and power. And yet, if there weren’t any people willing to dance to his corrupt tune, the public may have been spared such degradation.
Navy SEALs who turned in Gallagher: He is ‚freaking evil‘
“Tell the truth, don’t lie or embellish,” one member told the others in a group text in 2017, when they first reportedly tried to report the chief. “That way, he can’t say that we slandered him in any way.”
Fellow Navy SEALs slam former chief Edward Gallagher in newly released video
Video obtained by The New York Times shows members of SEAL Team 7 criticizing their former platoon chief Edward Gallagher, who was accused of murdering a teenage ISIS member. CBS News national security correspondent David Martin joined CBSN with the latest details.
Leaked Video of SEALs Calling Eddie Gallagher „Evil“
Gallagher’s war crimes case gained national attention after President Donald Trump controversially intervened on his behalf, ignoring Pentagon leaders who had told the President such a move could damage the integrity of the military judicial system.
„The guy is freaking evil,“ Special Operator First Class Craig Miller said of Gallagher during his interview with Naval Criminal Investigative Service agents, the Times reported.“
Hosts: Cenk Uygur, John Iadarola, John Fugelsang
“Nobody touch him. He’s mine.” Navy SEAL videos and text messages reveal why some of Chief Edward Gallagher’s own men were upset about his actions in Iraq.
A new documentary from #TheWeeklyNYT now on @Hulu: Videos reveal new details about the case of Edward Gallagher, a Navy SEAL accused by his own men of war crimes and whose defenders include President Trump.
Also watch this Sunday on @FXNetworks.
Anguish and Anger From the Navy SEALS Who Turned In Edward Gallagher
Asked whether the chief had a bias against Middle Eastern people, Special Operator Scott replied, “I think he just wants to kill anybody he can.”
Some of the SEALs said they came to believe that the chief was purposefully exposing them to enemy fire to bait ISIS fighters into revealing their positions. They said the chief thought that casualties in the platoon would increase his chances for a Silver Star.
Jordan Valley annexation plans halted after ICC statement
Plans of Israel’s incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to annex the West Bank’s Jordan Valley have reportedly entered a “deep freeze”over concerns that it could potentially intensify confrontation with the International Crime Court.
Israel bans officials from public discussions on ICC probe strategy
The move was initiated by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Ministers speaking on condition of anonymity were cited as saying that public discussion and media media coverage of Israel’s efforts to forestall the ICC from launching its probe could potentially compromise Israel’s national interests.
Israeli Patriots and Justice Seekers Should Look to the Hague With Hope
Israel has done everything to reach The Hague. That’s what happens when the prosecution is a cemetery for war crimes, the High Court whitewashes them and the media hides them and covers for them. That’s the way it is when international law is disparaged for decades. There’s probably no other country that thumbs its nose at international law this way and pays no price for it. Perhaps now the moment of truth is approaching, the moment of penalty. It will be very good for Israel. It might clean out its stables, stained with blood and stolen land. Every Israeli patriot and seeker of justice should now look to The Hague with hope.
New ruling means Supreme Court dodges Obamacare showdown, but legal fight rolls on
The New Orleans-based court ruled unconstitutional the individual insurance mandate — which the federal government was no longer enforcing — yet refused to resolve the most pressing issue: does that mean the rest of the law is also unconstitutional?
By a 2-1 vote, the appeals panel returned the case to a US district court judge for the start of another round of rulings.
It will now likely be months, perhaps even years, …
Uncut Chronicles: Blood & Tears. Gaza August 2014
(02.09.2014)
Israel and Gaza’s ruling Hamas agreed to an open-ended ceasefire on August 26 after seven weeks of fighting – an uneasy deal that halted the Protective Edge operation, with more than 2,200 killed.
Uncut Chronicles: Gaza-Israel War. Deadly July 2014
(03.08.2014)
The IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) began their current operation against Hamas after three teens were kidnapped and killed. The military op has already claimed over 1,500 civilian lives in Gaza.
Report: Israeli officials fear possible ICC prosecution
A full ICC investigation could possibly lead to charges against individuals. States cannot be charged by the ICC.
The ICC’s preliminary investigation has looked at the 2014 war which left 2,251 dead on the Palestinian side, the majority civilians, and 74 on the Israeli side, most of them soldiers.
Statement of ICC Prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, on the conclusion of the preliminary examination of the Situation in Palestine, and seeking a ruling on the scope of the Court’s territorial jurisdiction
As there has been a referral from the State of Palestine, there is no requirement to seek Pre-Trial Chamber’s authorisation before proceeding to open an investigation, and I do not seek to do so.
However, given the unique and highly contested legal and factual issues attaching to this situation, namely, the territory within which the investigation may be conducted, I deemed it necessary to rely on article 19(3) of the Statute to resolve this specific issue.
Earlier today, I therefore requested from Pre-Trial Chamber I a jurisdictional ruling on the scope of the territorial jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court („ICC“ or the „Court“) under article 12(2)(a) of the Rome Statute in Palestine.
In Israel’s Attempt to Deflect ICC Prosecutor’s Call to Probe War Crimes, It Admitted to the Occupation
Gripped by panic at Fatou Bensouda’s statement that there’s reasonable basis to investigate it for war crimes, Israel claimed ‘there is either the occupation and no Palestinian state, or there’s a Palestinian state and no occupation’. By using this problematic argument, Israel gave the answer
‚It Was an Outrage‘: Mike Pompeo Celebrates Defeated ICC Probe Into US War Crimes
(28.08.2019)
Pompeo made the remarks in a „Celebrating Americanism in Our Foreign Policy“ speech at the American Legion National Convention in Indianapolis.
„Americanism means taking care of our own,“ said Pompeo.
„We stopped international courts from prosecuting our service members,“ Pompeo continued, adding that the potential probe „was an outrage.“
In April, the ICC announced that it rejected a probe into possible war crimes and crimes against humanity in Afghanistan. Outgoing ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda requested the investigation in 2017, saying at the time that there was a „reasonable basis to believe“ that war crimes were committed by the Taliban, Afghan National Security Forces, U.S. armed forces, and the CIA. That move won the praise of human rights organizations and triggered over one million statements from alleged Afghan victims.