https://sputnikglobe.com/20200918/live-updates-wikileaks-founder-julian-assanges-extradition-hearing-day-9-1080499556.html

Live Updates: WikiLeaks Founder Julian Assange's Extradition Hearing, Day 9

Sputnik International

The WikiLeaks founder has been indicted by the US Department of Justice on 18 charges, most of them regarding violations under the Espionage Act. He is facing... 18.09.2020, Sputnik International

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Supporters of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange protest outside the Old Bailey, London's Central Criminal Court, ahead of a hearing to decide whether Assange should be extradited to the United States, in London, Britain, 9 September 2020. - Sputnik International

Live Updates: WikiLeaks Founder Julian Assange's Extradition Hearing, Day 9

09:56 GMT 18.09.2020 (Updated: 14:06 GMT 18.09.2020)

The WikiLeaks founder has been indicted by the US Department of Justice on 18 charges, most of them regarding violations under the Espionage Act. He is facing extradition from the UK to the US. If convicted, Assange may face up to 175 years in prison.

The ninth day of hearings into the case of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has started, with two defence witnesses due to be called: Carey Shenkman, a lawyer specialising in human rights and constitutional law (he started testifying on Thursday) and journalist Nicolas Hager.

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was sent to Belmarsh prison in April 2019 after his arrest at the Ecuadorian embassy in London. He is attending the trial from behind a glass panel, away from his defence team.

The hearing on his extradition is expected to last at least three weeks, with high chances for the verdict to be appealed by the losing side.

Assange was indicted by the US Department of Justice on 18 charges, most of them regarding violations under the Espionage Act. He is facing extradition to the United States. If convicted of these charges, Assange may face up to 175 years in prison.

*Follow Sputnik's feed for the latest updates from the hearing.

Table of contents

15:49 GMT 18.09.2020

Artist Disappointed With 'Lack of Support' for Assange

15:21 GMT 18.09.2020

Court is Adjourned

14:55 GMT 18.09.2020

Statement of Ex-Senior Editor for Reuters Being Read Out

13:45 GMT 18.09.2020

Espionage Act Was Used Against Whistleblowers Too, Says Shenkman

13:38 GMT 18.09.2020

'Defend Assange Campaign' on El-Masri Being 'Finally Given His Day in Court'

13:34 GMT 18.09.2020

Observer Deepa Driver About Hager's Statement

13:22 GMT 18.09.2020

What Has the US Done to Prevent El-Masri's Testimony From Being Heard in Court?

11:58 GMT 18.09.2020

Details of El-Masri's Statement

11:40 GMT 18.09.2020

Assange Says Won't Accept Editing of El-Masri's Statement

11:38 GMT 18.09.2020

What Could Be the Price of US Pardoning of Assange?

11:33 GMT 18.09.2020

Conflict Over El-Masri's Statement

11:06 GMT 18.09.2020

Statement From One of Assange's Lawyers Expected to Be Read

10:35 GMT 18.09.2020

Khalid El-Masri is Expected to Testify in Court

10:11 GMT 18.09.2020

Hager is Asked About Guantanamo Bay Materials

10:05 GMT 18.09.2020

'Tired of News Coverage' of Assange, Says Hager

10:02 GMT 18.09.2020

Investigative Journo Nicolas Hager Explains How He Sees His Role

09:59 GMT 18.09.2020

First Defence Witness to Testify on Friday

09:58 GMT 18.09.2020

The Hearing Starts at 10 AM

New firstOld first

15:46 GMT 18.09.2020

Outside of the Old Bailey artist @DanielFooksArt says he considers the prosecution of #JulianAssange to be "the case" within the context of what he sees as a "descent into fascism" and is disappointed at the "lack of support" from the "wider Left". pic.twitter.com/f2ISaFQtIr
— Mohamed Elmaazi (@MElmaazi) September 18, 2020

15:20 GMT 18.09.2020

**Court adjourned after a brief discussion about availability of court transcripts for the public. **
— Mohamed Elmaazi (@MElmaazi) September 18, 2020

14:51 GMT 18.09.2020

Summary of Dean Yates' statement is being read out by Ed Fitzgerald QC. Yates is an ex-bureau chief and senior editor with Reuters. He describes the experience of discovering that two of his colleagues were killed.
— Mohamed Elmaazi (@MElmaazi) September 18, 2020

There is no questions that coalition forces were engaged in combat with a hostile force the US stated at the time, US military forces said at the time.
— Mohamed Elmaazi (@MElmaazi) September 18, 2020

The Judge is saying that “it is of no relevance in this case”, Ed Fitzgerald QC explains it matters in relation to the WikiLeaks publications (of the video and of the Rules of Engagement).

"It's about what it reveals about the truth of what happened", Fitzgerald QC
— Mohamed Elmaazi (@MElmaazi) September 18, 2020

"I immediately realised that the US Military had lied to us. When I think back to that meeting with thetwo generals in Baghdad, I feel cheated, they were not being honest...
— Mohamed Elmaazi (@MElmaazi) September 18, 2020

.... I have wondered for many years how much of that meeting was choreographed so we would go away with a certain impression of what happened. The day-after Collateral Murder was released, a spokesman for US Central Command said an investigation of the incident...
— Mohamed Elmaazi (@MElmaazi) September 18, 2020

... shortly after it occurred found that US forces were not aware of the presence of the news staffers and thought they were engaging armed insurgents." Fitzgerald QC reads from the statement of Dean Yates
— Mohamed Elmaazi (@MElmaazi) September 18, 2020

"I found it impossible to grapple with the moral injury - I had in my mind unfairly blamed Namir for the ·Crazy Horse 1-8 attack. 1·was devastated at having failed to protect my staff by uncovering the Rules of Engagement in the US military before they were shot -...
— Mohamed Elmaazi (@MElmaazi) September 18, 2020

...and for not disclosing earlier my understanding of the extent to which the US had lied. I was profoundly affected" Dean Yates.

Prosecution says there is no objection to this statement. That should not be taken that we accept this evidence"
— Mohamed Elmaazi (@MElmaazi) September 18, 2020

13:43 GMT 18.09.2020

Ms Dobbin is questioning defence expert Mr Shenkman whether the Espionage Act permits the prosecution of people beyond traditional espionage. Mr Shenkman has said it has clearly been used against whistelbowers too.
— Mohamed Elmaazi (@MElmaazi) September 18, 2020

He notes that the intent of the legislators is a "very, very sticky" issue and that it was never intended to be used against publications and there was an original draft of the Espionage Act (that was rejected) which would have permitted prosecution of publishers.
— Mohamed Elmaazi (@MElmaazi) September 18, 2020

After further back and forth between the prosecution and the defence expert on the first amendment and criminal liability over assisting in obtaining/publication of classified documents the cross-examination of Mr Shenkman now appears to be over.
— Mohamed Elmaazi (@MElmaazi) September 18, 2020

13:37 GMT 18.09.2020

After spending millions and not finding a single occurrence of death or harm to any individual due to WikiLeaks releases, El-Masri is finally given his day in court - an innocent man who’s rendition was covered up and his torture exposed by @WikiLeaks #assangecase @hrw @amnesty https://t.co/Aa1uEiZVkP
— Defend Assange Campaign (@DefendAssange) September 18, 2020

13:29 GMT 18.09.2020

.@deepa_driver, university lecturer & observer for Haldane Society, says it was “very interesting” to hear Mr Hagal’s statements about “normal practice” for investigative journalism & how aid & reconstruction efforts were being used for psyops on behalf of the US.@SputnikInt pic.twitter.com/vQiojq5aIU
— Mohamed Elmaazi (@MElmaazi) September 18, 2020

Deepa Driver also notes that Mr Nicolas Hager explained today that investigative journalists don't simply "passively receive information" they actively "work to find sources, to develop those sources to protect those sources".

via @SputnikInt pic.twitter.com/uPu663vKvN
— Mohamed Elmaazi (@MElmaazi) September 18, 2020

13:17 GMT 18.09.2020

John Rees, of WikiLeaks' @DEAcampaign, explains how US government "went to extraordinary lengths" to ensure Mr El-Masri's testimony wouldn't be heard in court resulting in Mr Assange shouting from the dock opposing the silencing of a torture victim.

via @SputnikInt pic.twitter.com/O3BfIbiyTM
— Mohamed Elmaazi (@MElmaazi) September 18, 2020

11:57 GMT 18.09.2020

Mr El-Masris statment notes that he was kidnapped, "beaten" hooded" &"sodomised", transported to multiple locations including Afghanistan where he was force fed through a tube when he went on hunger strike, the whole experience last approx 5 months...
— Mohamed Elmaazi (@MElmaazi) September 18, 2020

... before he was released at night via a van in a mountain road where he was told to march forward and he thought he was going to be shot in the back. He came across Albanian police who inquired why he was in the country w/o papers.
— Mohamed Elmaazi (@MElmaazi) September 18, 2020

Mr El-Masri was ultimately repatriated, reunited with his wife and children who thought he was dead and has sought justice ever since. He has been threatened, smeared and discredited with attempts to silence him.
— Mohamed Elmaazi (@MElmaazi) September 18, 2020

There was difficulty in gaining support and silence from those who could have corroborated his story. Ultimately, the assistance of investigative journo Mr Goetz was able to discover the IDs of CIA rendition team, Mark Summers QC explains
— Mohamed Elmaazi (@MElmaazi) September 18, 2020

Following further summarisation of the WS of Mr Khaled El-Masri by Summers (see https://t.co/27KnNRh1Hg) the court breaks for lunch and Mr Shenkman from yesterday is due to finish being cross-examined by the prosecution at 2pm. Will rush to court to see if I can get a statement
— Mohamed Elmaazi (@MElmaazi) September 18, 2020

11:39 GMT 18.09.2020

Mr Assange can be heard to say he "will not accept that" after a decision has been made to edit Mr Khaled El-Masri's statement which the US prosecutors say "they have no instructions to accept" the truthfulness of the statement (see tweets above for the video clip with El-Masri).
— Mohamed Elmaazi (@MElmaazi) September 18, 2020

US lawyer: We see no utility whatsoever in having Mr el-Masri in court. None whatsoever.

Julian Assange stands up: Madam I will not accept you sensoring a torture victim’s statement to this court.

Judge: you are represented.

Assange: I have tried to convey those instructions. https://t.co/o3sTFwJEjO
— Charlie Jones (@CharlieDanJones) September 18, 2020

It seems now that the interpreter for Mr El-Masri has been dismissed and now Mark Summers QC is giving a brief background to Mr El-Masri's statement.
— Mohamed Elmaazi (@MElmaazi) September 18, 2020

He was held "incommunicado, illtreated and kept against his will", Mark Summers QC says. Court has just adjourned for 10 minutes so Mr Summers can "take instructions".
— Mohamed Elmaazi (@MElmaazi) September 18, 2020

11:35 GMT 18.09.2020

Trump 'Approved' of Pardon Offer to Assange in Exchange for Source of DNC Leaks, Jen Robinson Says

18 September 2020, 11:15 GMT

11:32 GMT 18.09.2020

Technical issues with trying to secure Khaled El-Masri's statement via video link is problematic. The US government says they don't object to statement being read via phone but Defence do. There is conflict over acceptance of the truthfulness of Mr El-Masri's statement.
— Mohamed Elmaazi (@MElmaazi) September 18, 2020

11:05 GMT 18.09.2020

It looks like as statement from Jen Robinson, one of Mr Assange's lawyers is due to be read.
— Mohamed Elmaazi (@MElmaazi) September 18, 2020

10:30 GMT 18.09.2020

"It appears that Khalid El-Masri will be giving evidence to court. It will be limited to what is relevant to the court. The court rests for 30 minutes while the interpreter gets there. #AssangeCase"

via @jlpassarelli
— Mohamed Elmaazi (@MElmaazi) September 18, 2020

"I was severely humiliated and mortified. But I don't want to talk about details; it is too difficult for me", Khaled El-Masri speaking about his rendition and torture at the hands of the CIA, in the 2010 documentary Outlawed. pic.twitter.com/asNPAOcUqJ
— Mohamed Elmaazi (@MElmaazi) September 18, 2020

Outside the Old Bailey Kristinn Hrafnsson and Craig Murray speak before CIA kidnapping and torture victim Khaled El-Masri is due to speak via video link. pic.twitter.com/EXtdas41Q7
— Mohamed Elmaazi (@MElmaazi) September 18, 2020

10:10 GMT 18.09.2020

Ed Fitzgerald QC asks Mr Hager if he understands that Mr Assange is also being charged w/ obtaining & receving Guantanamo Bay materials, the ROG & the Afghanistan/Iraq War Diaries. Hager says yes, which is why he was "confused" by apparent claims by Mr Lewis to the contrary.
— Mohamed Elmaazi (@MElmaazi) September 18, 2020

“I believed the WikiLeaks people when they invited me into a process of great care and protection and trying to redact and avoid any damage to any people" Mr Hager
— Mohamed Elmaazi (@MElmaazi) September 18, 2020

"My personal opinion is that I don’t believe that Julian Assange and the others somehow changed their minds and don’t care anymore”, Mr Hager.
— Mohamed Elmaazi (@MElmaazi) September 18, 2020

“The efforts that Julian Assange led starting in November 2010 allowed the process which the State Dept & the US military and others engaged with” allowing them to contact vulnerable sources & take precautions to protect themselves for 9 months before the docs were released.
— Mohamed Elmaazi (@MElmaazi) September 18, 2020

Mr Fitzgerald QC asks about alleged stmnts made by Mr Assange at Frontline Club and whether Mr Hager agrees that people should be able to protect themselves from "unjust retribution" Mr Hager agrees. Fitz asks about outing "agent provocateurs" & he says that's highly contested.
— Mohamed Elmaazi (@MElmaazi) September 18, 2020

The relevance of the Rules of Engagment [and one of the charges relate to receipt of ROG] is it permits the public to see whether
a) they are being followed and
b) whether they are "adequeate" and in line with the laws of war, Mr Hager says.
— Mohamed Elmaazi (@MElmaazi) September 18, 2020

Re-examination is close to being completed. The court has taken a 5 minute break, possibly for counsel to consult the Defendant.
— Mohamed Elmaazi (@MElmaazi) September 18, 2020

10:03 GMT 18.09.2020

Mr Hager says he has "become tired of the news coverage" of Mr Assange. "The person I got to know is completely different... from what others were getting from the news media", he says, adding that "a very principled" man "who has devoted himself to try
— Mohamed Elmaazi (@MElmaazi) September 18, 2020

and make the world a better place", in the particular context of declining freedom after the September 11 attacks, Mr Hager says.
— Mohamed Elmaazi (@MElmaazi) September 18, 2020

**CROSS-EXAMINATION NOW**

James Lewis QC: Asking the witness why he has mentioned the "Collateral Murder" video since Mr Assange isn't being charged for publishing that document.
— Mohamed Elmaazi (@MElmaazi) September 18, 2020

Q. Have you ever helped a government official crack a password so you can hide their tracks?

A. No, but we are getting closer to things where I would start saying yes.
— Mohamed Elmaazi (@MElmaazi) September 18, 2020

A. You might imagine that investigative journalists protects themselves from criticisms of breaking the law by only receiving information passively… that is not the way that it works. It is a regularly business of me and my colleagues around the world as...
— Mohamed Elmaazi (@MElmaazi) September 18, 2020

...we fulling our role in society… we go out & find our sources we encourage our sources to [give us more info] they are not anonymous people who drop us information into clean into our hands. We have to tell them how to look after themselves most of the are breaking the law.
— Mohamed Elmaazi (@MElmaazi) September 18, 2020

In his Witness Statement Mr Hager says:

"While I was there, Wikileaks asked the same of me: to read the cables from New Zealand & Australia, & to identify any that should not be released for reasons such as personal safety of named people....
— Mohamed Elmaazi (@MElmaazi) September 18, 2020

... I found the Wikileaks staff to be engaged in a careful and responsible process."
— Mohamed Elmaazi (@MElmaazi) September 18, 2020

10:00 GMT 18.09.2020

“I see my role essentially as essentially a user – from a faraway country – of the data that was released” says investigative journo Nicolas Hager. His work includes the book “Secret Power: New Zealand's Role in the International Spy Network” & “Other People’s Wars”.
— Mohamed Elmaazi (@MElmaazi) September 18, 2020

“There are some subjects which are so secret in their content that he cannot work on them to an adequate standard for the public unless we have confidential sources”, Nicolas Hager.
— Mohamed Elmaazi (@MElmaazi) September 18, 2020

“There is simply no realistic and effective alternative”, Mr Hager says, in order to hold people to account and aid democratic decision making.
— Mohamed Elmaazi (@MElmaazi) September 18, 2020

09:58 GMT 18.09.2020

Nicolas Hager, journalist, has just been sworn in via video link.
— Mohamed Elmaazi (@MElmaazi) September 18, 2020

09:57 GMT 18.09.2020

#JulianAssange hearings Part 2 - Day 9 (Thread)

Court to sit at 10:00 am.

Next 2 defence witnesses due to be called:

1) TBC (morning)
2) Carey Shenkmam (lawyer spec. in human rights & constitutional law, afternoon)

via @SputnikInt pic.twitter.com/mLm15jpW6r
— Mohamed Elmaazi (@MElmaazi) September 18, 2020