WikiLeaks

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.

2012-01-12 #WikiLeaks News: New developments regarding Bradley #Manning’s case; Press Coverage of WikiLeaks Releases





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

  • All charges against Bradley Manning were referred to court-martial today by Investigating Officer Paul Almanza. This is not yet a final decision: IO Almanza forwarded a report to Col. Carl R. Coffman, the Special Court Martial Convening Authority, for review.

    Col. Coffman has to either dispose of these charges or forward the case to the commander of the Military District of Washington, Maj. Gen. Michael S. Linnington, who will have final word on how to proceed with the case. Maj. Gen. Linnington is responsible for having ordered investigation on Bradley Manning to begin with.

    This recommendation was addressed in a press release by the Bradley Manning Support Network, where its legal advisor Kevin Zeese denounces a contradiction between charges brought against Manning and official impact assessments showing WikiLeaks caused no harm to US national security.


2012-01-12 U.S. Saber Rattling Over Iran: From the Straits of Hormuz to South American “Backyard” and the WikiLeaks Cables

Submitted by Nikolas Kozloff, the author of Revolution! South America and the Rise of the New Left

As tensions ratchet up in the Middle East and the Straits of Hormuz, the U.S. has grown increasingly concerned about what Iran might try next. Perhaps, the Obama White House miscalculated when it moved to strengthen the sanctions regime against the Islamic Republic, not anticipating that Iran might lash out and raise the stakes. If Iran does move to block the Straits of Hormuz in retaliation against sanctions, world oil prices could skyrocket which in turn could have severe political repercussions in the U.S. While the odds are unlikely that Iran would resort to such desperate measures, the embattled and isolated Ahmadinejad leadership may calculate that it can shore up crucial domestic political support by challenging the western powers.

In a further destabilizing move, Ahmadinejad has opted to conduct a four nation tour of Latin America designed to showcase Iran's budding relationship with the region's populist left. In recent years, Hugo Chávez of Venezuela and members of his so-called ALBA alliance have done much to rehabilitate the despotic and increasingly repressive Ahmadinejad. Prior to the Iranian leader's arrival in Caracas, Chávez rejected calls by the U.S. for nations to insist that Iran stop defying international efforts to evaluate the Islamic Republic's nuclear program. While the U.S. and its western friends accuse Iran of trying to develop nuclear weapons under the guise of a civilian nuclear energy program, Venezuela and its ALBA allies have backed Iran in the dispute.

2012-01-10 #WikiLeaks News: Army monitored tweets on Bradley #Manning’s Pre-trial; 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

  • A document containing analysis of news coverage of Bradley Manning’s pretrial hearing by the US Army was released today by Politico. The Army used a service called VOCUS to track not only traditional press coverage, but also social media in near-real time, for instance tweets containing the hashtag #Manning.
    VOCUS identified most coverage as being “negative”, but also mostly “balanced and factual”. Part of the report deals with the number of stories on Lt. Dan Choi’s removal from Fort Meade:

    "Since former Lt. Dan Choi's disturbance outside of the courtroom there have been 118 print and online stories; and 67 social network conversations in reference to the incident."

    Also today, journalist Kevin Gosztola wrote about his experience covering the hearing from the Media Operations Center at Fort Meade. He recalls that, on the first day, the social media director on the public affairs staff asked the media if they would agree to use a single hashtag to categorize their tweets.
    “In retrospect”, he writes, “it appears she may have been trying to make it easier to track media tweets.”


2012-01-09 #WikiLeaks News: Judge silenced due to US pressure; Australia’s lack of Consular Support for Julian #Assange





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

  • Cables published by WikiLeaks reveal that the US State Department placed pressure on Spanish authorities to silence Baltasar Garzon, the judge who, in 1998, ordered the arrest and extradition of Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet.
    Due to pressure from the Obama administration, Garzon was removed from the Bush 6 case and forced to drop investigation into:


    - the death of a Spanish reporter who was killed by US shelling in Baghdad;

    - allegations by Spanish Guantanamo detainees of being tortured;

    - use of Spanish bases for CIA “rendition” flights.


    Judge Baltasar Garzon himself faces trial, beginning January 17, on “corruption charges”. The most serious charge he is facing (exceeding authority) relates to an order issued, at the request of families, to exhume the remains of victims assassinated during the Franco regime. More than 200 international organizations condemn prosecution against him.
    [Source: Dissident Voice]


2012-01-08 #WikiLeaks News and Recent Press Coverage of WikiLeaks Releases





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


  • In less than 20 hours, the auction for WikiLeaks Truck will close. Current bid is US $7.600.00.


  • L’Espresso journalist Stefania Maurizi describes, in a series of tweets her experience meeting Julian Assange to receive italian cables in January 2011 and, prior to that, the Afghan war Logs, right after Julian Assange left Sweden in 2010. Recommended reading, as the misconception Julian Assange fled Sweden to escape interrogation is dispelled. In fact, he remained in the country for over a month to answer allegations against him, yet he was not called to be interrogated. He was instead given permission to travel abroad: “Assange was NOT trying to avoid questioning in Sweden, we had an appointment in Berlin, where I was supposed to get the Afghan War Logs”, Stefania Maurizi writes.


  • Stainless Steel Rat, a controversial Australian play consisting of a fictional plot vaguely inspired by reports on Julian Assange’s life, was target of so much criticism its name and dialogue had to be modified. Since 14 December, the play now known as Man in the Middle has gone through 14 drafts.

2012-01-07 #WikiLeaks News: 400 days of Financial Blockade; Updated #Assange Support Campaigns; 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

  • WikiLeaks has been under financial blockade for 400 days. Consider making a donation so its work can continue.


  • On twitter, WikiLeaks linked to the source document showing Apple and Blackberry backdoors were used by Indian Military Intelligence to intercept communications of the United States-China Economic and Security Review Commission (USCC) on issues that are “of great value to Indian industry”.
    The document is part of WikiLeaks’ Spy Files release.


  • Twitter, Facebook, Google and five other corporations endorse online piracy bill OPEN, an alternative to SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act), that would also authorize financial embargo of websites suspected of copyright infrigement by payment processors. Banking blockades identical to that unlawfully imposed on WikiLeaks could, under these bills, become the norm. [via The Hill]


2012-01-05 #WikiLeaks News and Updated Events






Programmers and system admins control every intelligence agency and bank. What happens when they awake and unite? - @wikileaks


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

Request to keep WikiLeaks backers' private Twitter data from US Prosecutors denied

  • Yesterday, WikiLeaks backers Jacob Appelbaum, Rop Gonggrijp and Birgitta Jonsdottir lost a bid to keep their private Twitter data from being handed over to US prosecutors, in the context of a Grand Jury criminal investigation on Julian Assange and WikiLeaks.
    According to American Civil Liberties Union lawyer Aden Fine, Birgitta Jonsdottir’s representative, his client may consider asking the appeals court to delay turning over the data.



‘War on The Internet’, panel with Jacob Appelbaum

  • The panel will take place in Melbourne, on January 21 (Trades Hall Melbourne cnr Victoria & Lygon, at 3PM).

2012-01-04 #WikiLeaks News, Press Coverage of WikiLeaks Releases and Updated Events






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

News

The implications of SOPA, NDAA and mass telecommunication surveillance

  • In an article published in Digital Trends, Geoff Duncan analyses the National Defense Authorization Act, proposed copyright bill SOPA and mass telecommunication surveillance. He asks the question: Will 2012 end up resembling George Orwell’s novel 1984?
    The article also focuses on the link between NDAA and the possibility the work of WikiLeaks and Anonymous might, in the future, constitute terrorist activity:

    “This may not seem to have anything to do with the Internet”, he writes of the NDAA, “until you think about groups like Anonymous and Wikileaks. Could Anonymous (or groups within Anonymous) attacking credit card operators, the threatening the NYSE, law enforcement organizations, or other organizations constitute terrorist activity? Similarly, would Wikileaks’ publication of classified U.S. diplomatic cables constitute terrorist activity? Suddenly, everyday Internet users speaking up in support of groups like Anonymous and Wikileaks might find themselves accused of aiding and facilitating terrorists. Similarly, if U.S. authorities decide these or similar groups’ activities constitute terrorism, members or alleged members might find themselves shipped to Guantanamo. No trial, no process, no appeal.”



Day of Action Against Guantanamo

2012-01-03 #WikiLeaks News and Updated WikiLeaks Dates



Given that police are increasingly issuing subpoenas to Twitter, join us in requesting twitter change their data retention policy. [Hashtag #NOLOGS] - @wikileaks



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

News

Activists take legal action over fabricated Embassy cable

  • In Egypt, several activists have filed legal action against newspaper Al-Wafd over the publication of a translation of a diplomatic cable originally published by WikiLeaks, to which names of activists not present in the original document were added, so as to make it appear these specific people had received “secret funds” from the United States.
    Original document published by WikiLeaks: 08CAIRO941



Interview with creator of the play 'The Radicalisation of Bradley Manning'

  • In an interview about the play that will be staged in April at a school once attended by Bradley Manning in Wales, playwright Tim Price expressed admiration for the alleged whistleblower:

2012-01-02 #WikiLeaks News: WikiLeaks Truck for sale; Press Coverage of WikiLeaks Releases; Other Updates



It is noteworthy that the both the EAW and the Interpol red notice were issued for Julian by Sweden just before WikiLeaks began to publish Cablegate with their media partners and were executed just days after publication began. - Jennifer Robinson



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

News

  • WikiLeaks tweeted the following, about a project in course: "Interviewing revolutionaries & power insiders on plans & futures, utopian vs dystopian-suggest a name #worldtomorrow"
  • The WikiLeaks Truck is for sale, so we can have more WikiLeaks trucks around the world. Artist Clark Stoeckley, the owner, plans to expand the project into a global fleet of WikiLeaks trucks. More information at @WikiLeaksTruck.
  • In response to WikiLeaks, lawyer Peter Kemp determines Julian Assange is able to run for Australian Senate from house arrest in England, reflects on the policy of a hypothetical WikiLeaks party: wlcentral.org/node/2401

2012-01-01 #WikiLeaks News: A New Year’s Message; Updated Events & Support Campaigns; Other News



Manning is a political prisoner who worked for a better world. - Kristinn Hrafnsson



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

2011 ended with the alarming approval of the National Defense Authorization Act by the US Congress, which places ultimate authority on the President of the United States to decide on the indefinite military detention of terrorism suspects worldwide. The bill was signed on New Year’s Eve, its strategic timing reminiscent of the date set for Bradley Manning’s pre-trial hearing, which also took place during last year’s holiday season.

As of the 1st of 2012:

WikiLeaks: 394 days of banking blockade - no process
Assange: 391 days of detainment without charge
Manning: 588 days in military jail without trial trial

2011-12-17 Handwritten transcript of Bradley #Manning Pretrial Day 2 #WikiLeaks

Image*Image by Michael Barczynski, artist and occupy participant, who allowed me to publish his sketches of the court proceedings.

These 37 pages of typed transcription were taken by hand, and may contain errors, misspellings of names, and or may be incomplete.

  • The Investigation Officer is Lt. Col. Paul Almanza, an Army Reserve lieutenant colonel and Justice Department prosecutor.
  • Prosecution is Captain Ashden Fein, Captain Joe Morrow, and Captain Angel Overgaard,
  • Defense is Mr. David Coombs,, Major Matthew Kemkes, and Captain Paul Bouchard. ,

There were around 500 protesters outside the gates of Fort Meade on Saturday, Dec 17, 2011. #Occupy Wall Street had sent down a bus, and there were two bus loads from #Occupy in DC, both Freedom Plaza and McPherson. In addition Veterans for Peace were present at the rally and members of the Bradley Manning Support network. Individuals were represented from all over the country, and even the world.

I arrived at Fort Meade, Maryland at 1:20 p.m. and rushed into the theater just as defense was questioning the day's second witness, Special Agent Calder Robinson's testimony, via telephone from Germany.

After his testimony a recess was called and I conferred with four individuals about the morning's proceedings and the first witness that day, Special Agent Toni Graham.

2011-12-04 #WikiLeaks News: Pres. Obama, Sec. Clinton called to witness in Manning's pretrial; New Support Campaigns



What we ask for is humble — the right to not be shipped off to foreign lands without formal charges or the presentation of even the most basic evidence. - Julian Assange



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


    • The Spy Files map has been upgraded with links to current releases’ files.

    • Bradley Manning’s defense published a list of requested witnesses for the Article 32 pretrial hearing that will begin on December 16. Names and certain parts of the text are redacted, but the content of the testimonies can, for the most part, easily be understood. 48 witnesses are listed, the description of Witness no.36 refers to US President Obama, while numbers 35 and 38 refer to Hillary Clinton and Adrian Lamo, respectively. [via @CassPF]

  • 2011-12-04 #WikiLeaks News: Pres.Obama, Sec.Clinton called to witness in Bradley Manning hearing; New Support Campaigns



    What we ask for is humble — the right to not be shipped off to foreign lands without formal charges or the presentation of even the most basic evidence. - Julian Assange



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

    • The Spy Files map has been upgraded with links to current releases’ files.

    • Bradley Manning’s defense published a list of requested witnesses for the Article 32 pretrial that will begin on December 17. Names and certain parts of the text are redacted, but the content of the testimonies can, for the most part, easily be understood. 48 witnesses are listed, the description of Witness no.36 refers to US President Obama, while numbers 35 and 38 refer to Hillary Clinton and Adrian Lamo, respectively. [via @CassPF]

    • Tomorrow, a decision is to be announced regarding Julian Assange’s application for a Supreme Court appeal against extradition to Sweden. He will have spent 363 under house arrest without charge, 2 days short of an entire year.
  • 2011-12-04 #WikiLeaks News: Pres. Obama and Sec. Clinton called to witness in Bradley Manning’s hearing; New Support Campaigns; Other Updates



    What we ask for is humble — the right to not be shipped off to foreign lands without formal charges or the presentation of even the most basic evidence. - Julian Assange



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

    • The Spy Files map has been upgraded with links to current releases’ files.

    • Bradley Manning’s defense published a list of requested witnesses for the Article 32 pretrial that will begin on December 17. Names and certain parts of the text are redacted, but the content of the testimonies can, for the most part, easily be understood. 48 witnesses are listed, the description of Witness no.36 refers to US President Obama, while numbers 35 and 38 refer to Hillary Clinton and Adrian Lamo, respectively. [via @CassPF]

    • Tomorrow, a decision is to be announced regarding Julian Assange’s application for a Supreme Court appeal against extradition to Sweden. He will have spent 363 under house arrest without charge, 2 days short of an entire year.
  • 2011-12-03 #WikiLeaks News: Urgent Action for Julian Assange; Updates on Bradley Manning case; December Events Calendar



    [WikiLeaks] has shown a courageous and controversial commitment to the finest traditions of journalism: justice through transparency. - Walkley Foundation



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


    It is urgent to take action to prevent Julian Assange’s extradition to Sweden, which would increase the possibility of an extradition to and indefinite detention in the United States.
    Please contact your MP today.

    Julian Assange’s next hearing will be on December 5 (Monday), as an historic debate on extradition reform in the UK takes place. This debate could affect the likelihood of a Supreme Court appeal against his extradition. In order for this to happen, the High Court of London must first consider his appeal to be of general public importance, as such, your support truly is crucial. Please take action today!

    If you can be in London, be sure to also make it to the Demo planned outside the Royal Courts of Justice on Monday, starting at 8:30AM.



    ............................................

    2011-11-26 #WikiLeaks News: WikiLeaks to enter New Phase; New Upcoming WikiLeaks Events; Other Updates



    I believe that there are extreme "public interest" grounds, given that the case is entirely political. (…) This is a very important issue, not just for me personally because Julian is my son, but for the future of democracy. - Christine Assange



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


    WikiLeaks released a very important announcement today: a press conference will take place in central London, on the 1st December, where WikiLeaks will address the postponed launch of a new state-of-the-art secure submission system and expose serious threats to the Privacy of journalists, sources, human rights activists and others.


    "On December 1st, WikiLeaks will host a press conference which will expose extraordinary privacy threats to journalists, sources and others as well as launch a new phase for WikiLeaks, just over a year after the Cablegate release.", the Statement reads.

    "WikiLeaks is building a state-of-the-art secure submission system. Constructing the system is very complex. Due to the deteriorating state of internet security which directly impacts the ability of sources to communicate with journalists and human rights activists securely, WikiLeaks has decided to postpone the launch initially scheduled for Monday 28th 2011 in the interest of source protection. WikiLeaks' new public electronic drop box is substantially more advanced than its predecessor.

    2011-11-25 #WikiLeaks News: Cardin bill would endanger Whistleblowers; UK Parliament Debate on Extradition (summary)



    At the heart of the problem with the European arrest warrant is the inability or unwillingness of Europe's judges to prevent injustice. - Fair Trials International



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


    Summary of UK Parliament debate on abuses of EAW


    Various cases where extradition procedures resulted in abuse of Human Rights were debated yesterday, November 24, at Westminster Hall.
    Observations were made throughout the debate relating to Julian Assange and WikiLeaks, although his extradition was not one of the central topics. The cases of Gary McKinnon, Babar Ahmad, Deborah Dark and Michael Turner were brought up frequently and the ordeals suffered by these UK citizens exposed in depth. For more information on these cases and other misuses of the European Arrest Warrant please visit Fair Trials International.

    Specifically regarding the extradition of Julian Assange, two primary issues were raised:


    1) despite facing extradition, Julian Assange has not been charged with a crime (the EAW was therefore incorrectly applied as it was not issued for the purpose of prosecution, but investigation)

    2) the European Arrest Warrant for Julian was requested by a private prosecutor who is not an official representative.

    2011-11-23 #WikiLeaks News: WikiLeaks Truck retrieved; Rudolf Elmer Support Campaign; Other Updates



    I know where the WikiLeaks Truck disappeared to! The same place where civil liberties and the rule of law went. - @JLLLOW



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


    The WikiLeaks truck is back with its owner.

    ImageDespite assurance by 'an OWS sympathizer judge' that all of Clark Stoeckley's parking tickets had been dropped, the truck was returned with two parking tickets on it and a dead battery, that has since been jumped by the NYPD yet needs replacement.
    The judge, according to Clark, the artist behind the WikiLeaks truck project, congratulated him on his work. Clark was then able to pick up his truck at Pier 76 impound.
    The truck, he says, was never taken to impound after the arrest. Instead, Police "left it in a bus spot and let it collect tickets until it got towed".
    All updates on this story at @WikileaksTruck.



    ............................................

    • Supporters of Bradley Manning marched in San Francisco last night, after the announcement of a pretrial hearing for the alleged whistleblower on December 16. A gallery of photos can be found here.

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