U.S. Government Begins Hearings on WikiLeaks
A grand jury is reported to have convened recently with the goal of determining whether Julian Assange and WikiLeaks should be prosecuted for acts of espionage against the U.S. government.
A grand jury is reported to have convened recently with the goal of determining whether Julian Assange and WikiLeaks should be prosecuted for acts of espionage against the U.S. government.
The hearings are expected to determine whether Assange and WikiLeaks can be accused of violating the Espionage Act, which would require the ability to show that they had actively encouraged or assisted in the transmission of classified information, The Guardian reports. –ARK
Dig, Root, GrowThe Guardian:
The first session of the grand jury is understood to have begun in Alexandria, Virginia, with the forced testimony of a man from Boston, Masachusetts. The unidentified man was subpoenad to appear before the panel.
… It [a subpoena] said the hearing was investigating “possible violations of federal criminal law involving, but not necessarily limited to, conspiracy to communicate or transmit national defence information in violation of” the Espionage Act.
… The Espionage Act has never been applied successfully against a non-government party, and to have a reasonable chance of prosecuting Assange or WikiLeaks as an organisation, the authorities would need to be able to prove to the satisfaction of a jury that they had actively encouraged or assisted the source of the leaks to transmit unauthorised material.
This year, we’re all on shaky ground, and the need for independent journalism has never been greater. A new administration is openly attacking free press — and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Your support is more than a donation. It helps us dig deeper into hidden truths, root out corruption and misinformation, and grow an informed, resilient community.
Independent journalism like Truthdig doesn't just report the news — it helps cultivate a better future.
Your tax-deductible gift powers fearless reporting and uncompromising analysis. Together, we can protect democracy and expose the stories that must be told.
This spring, stand with our journalists.
Dig. Root. Grow. Cultivate a better future.
Donate today.
TD Column
How to make sense of Trump’s senseless war against energy efficient appliances.
Environment
In the last few months, the federal agency has significantly scaled back pollution enforcement.
Activism
Holding law enforcement accountable has become more difficult as the Justice Department moves to stem oversight of problematic departments.
Opinion
In an escalation of deliberate cruelty, the administration plans to send migrants into a system of slavery and death overseen by warlords.
You need to be a supporter to comment.
There are currently no responses to this article.
Be the first to respond.