2012-01-15 #WikiLeaks News: Calls for Julian #Assange to be tried as terrorist under #NDAA-like law in 2010; Other News





This is a "WikiLeaks News Update", a daily news update of stories relating directly to WikiLeaks and also freedom of information, transparency, cybersecurity, and freedom of expression.

News

  • Suggestions made to the US House of Representatives for Julian Assange and WikiLeaks to be tried in a military court, under a style of law similar to the National Defense Authorization Act 2012 (NDAA), pre-date the NDAA by approximately one year.
    On the 30th November 2010, Representatives Franks, Lamborn and King urged the creation of new legislation in order to prosecute Julian Assange as a terrorist, and hinted at his detention in Guantanamo Bay:

    "I wish and I hope that there’s a way that we can find a way to prosecute a man like that, that we can protect ourselves. And if we fail to do that, or even if we’re successful in that and it exposes some other vulnerabilities, I suggest, Mr. Speaker, that this Congress take a look at some new legislation, a new structure of law, that’s really not brought about because of the actions of Mr. Assange but brought about because of the actions of our enemies, our terrorist enemies.", a transcript of their speeches reads.
    And after explicit references to terrorists held in Guantanamo Bay: (...) "An Australian citizen could be put into that category, moved over to a place offshore of the United States outside of the jurisdiction of the Federal courts, the civilian Federal courts in the United States, and adjudicated under a military tribunal in a fashion that was designed by this Congress and directed by this Congress. That’s what I’m hopeful that we’ll be able to do.”

    The full official transcript can be read here, and a video of these speeches is available on youtube.

    Julian Assange’s mother, Christine Assange, is seeking assistance in preventing his possible extradition to the United States. For this purpose, you can now write an email to her, explaining your ideas and plans.


  • Alexa O’Brien’s Timeline of United States investigation and case(s) against Bradley Manning, Julian Assange, and WikiLeaks, a work in progress, has been updated with the US Department of Justice’s Forecast of Contracting Opportunities for the year 2012.
    The procurement was devised on the 7th November 2011 and lists “WikiLeaks Hardware Maintenance” and “WikiLeaks Software Maintenance” as Services, with FBI Security Contractor ManTech as Incumbent Contractor. The estimated dollar range is $1M-$2M total.
    The image below has more details (click to enlarge). To see the full pdf file click here.



    It was a ManTech forensics contractor who determined the presence of chat logs in Bradley Manning’s computer allegedly documenting discussions between Bradley and Julian Assange and was later called to testify during Bradley Manning’s pre-trial in December.
    Alexa O’Brien notes: “On a cursory glance, neither WikiLeaks nor Mantech listed in 2011 procurement.”


  • The NYTimes eXaminer released the final segment of the series “Julian Assange on the New York Times”, in which Julian briefly discusses the lessons learned from collaborating with the New York Times as an institution.
    Watch the complete interview here.


  • Sydney Vigil for Julian Assange on the days of his UK Supreme Court hearing: February 1 & 2, 5:30PM, Town Hall.
    For information on the London Vigil at the Supreme Court, 8:30AM, click here.



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Upcoming WikiLeaks Dates (updated)

January 12: Officer Almanza recommended court-martial on all charges against Bradley Manning. A final decision on the matter is yet to be made.

January 21: “War on the Internet” panel in Melbourne with Jacob Appelbaum, Bernard Keane, Senator Scott Ludlam and Suelette Dreyfus. More information here.

January 28: new WikiLeaks debate in Houston (Texas). Julian Assange’s lawyer Geoffrey Robertson QC will participate via Skype, from London.

February 1 & 2: (updated) Julian Assange’s extradition appeal will be heard by the Supreme Court. Hearing will likely last 2 days. A support demonstration is planned in London outside of the Supreme Court, starting at 8:30AM. How to attend.
Sydney Vigil for Julian Assange.

April 25-29: WikiLeaks spokesperson Kristinn Hrafnsson and L’Espresso journalist Stefania Maurizi, who has worked on several WikiLeaks releases, will speak at the International Journalism Festival in Perugia (Italy).

May 23: Julian Assange will speak at the Enterprise Information Management Congress 2012 (Netherlands).



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Action Campaigns


WikiLeaks
408 days of unlawful financial blockade.



Julian Assange
405 days under house arrest without charge.

  • Show your support for Julian Assange at the Supreme Court of London, February 1 and 2, at 9 AM. More information on how to attend at Free Julian Assange Now campaign by Liberté Info.
  • Australia: Contact your Senator demanding Justice for Julian Assange! Threaten your vote if action to defend the rights of Julian Assange, an Australian citizen, is not taken.
  • Nominate Julian Assange and WikiLeaks for the Nobel Peace Prize 2012: campaign website.
  • Send at least one of the several call to action draft letters addressed to European organizations and Members of the European Parliament requesting action over the unjust treatment of Julian Assange.



Bradley Manning
602 days detained in military jail.

  • I am Bradley Manning campaign website with photos of supporters from around the world. Submit your own!
  • A challenge proposed by the Bradley Manning Support Network: Stand with Bradley until his trial is over - pledge a monthly donation for the length of the trial. For more details see bradleymanning.org



Rudolf Elmer

  • Liberté Info started a campaign to make whistleblower Rudolf Elmer’s trial an international issue. The campaign page is constantly updated with new developments on his case. Readers are encouraged to share.