Greenwald: Brazil’s Intervention Likely Kept Partner from Being Charged Under UK Terrorism Law

[ocpagu]

The partner of Guardian journalist Glenn Greenwald was detained by United Kingdom authorities at Heathrow Airport for nine hours, the maximum period under a provision of a terrorism law in the country. His partner had “electronics equipment including his mobile phone, laptop, camera, memory sticks, DVDs and games consoles” confiscated.

Greenwald has been reporting stories containing information on top secret surveillance programs. He obtained the information from former National Security Agency contractor and whistleblower Edward Snowden, who has successfully obtained a year of temporary asylum in Russia.

“David is smart and strong,” Greenwald told Firedoglake. “But still, it was scary: Guardian lawyers were speculating all day that given how much time he was held – which is very rare – he’d possibly be arrested under a terrorism statute.”

“It’s speculation, but I think the only reason that didn’t happen was because Brazilian government at high levels intervened so aggressively and angrily,” Greenwald added.

Read more:
http://dissenter.firedoglake.com/2013/08/18/greenwald-brazils-intervention-kept-partner-from-being-charged-under-uk-terrorism-law/

[ocpagu]

1. Memorando to Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Relations:

Time for reciprocity.

[Little Star]

2. Just read all the comments in that post.....

Well worth the read. k&r

[randome]

3. "It's speculation". Well, why don't you investigate, Glenn?

Or does someone need to hand you the information before you write a story about it?
[hr][font color="blue"][center]Don't ever underestimate the long-term effects of a good night's sleep.[/center][/font][hr]

[ocpagu]

5. He's talking about his impression.

Nothing wrong with that.

From the article:

'Also, what Greenwald told Savage further confirms the critical role Brazilian government played in ensuring Miranda was not kept longer than the maximum period under the terrorism statute:

"A lawyer for The Guardian in London was working on trying to understand what had happened, as were foreign-affairs officials for Brazil both in that country and in London, Mr. Greenwald said. He said that he received a call from the Brazilian foreign minister about 40 minutes after alerting the Brazilian government, and that the Brazilian authorities were outraged."'

[brisas2k]

4. While I read and learn

It just happened that a friend of mine pointed how important is to listen...

The Marselleise

Arise, children of the Fatherland,
The day of glory has arrived!
Against us tyranny
Raises its bloody banner (repeat)
Do you hear, in the countryside,
The roar of those ferocious soldiers?
They're coming right into your arms
To cut the throats of your sons and women

[GeorgeGist]

6. Seriously Glenn ...

you think Brazil trumps NSA?

It's best not to take sides when assholes are fighting.

[ocpagu]

7. He knows Brazil's government is not a US' puppet.

I'm curious about what will happen now.

His denunciation of NSA spying program has caused trouble in US-Brazil relations and there is already an investigation being conducted.

The fact that a Brazilian citizen has been illegally detained under a "terrorism act", without any regard for his individual rights, will make everything worse.

[BenzoDia]

8. So...what did he have on him that UK authorities could have charged him with?

Hmmmm?

[ocpagu]

9. Who knows?

Since UK authorities detained him without any kind of legal basis, it's quite likely he could be arrested or charged based on nothing. That's what authoritarian states do, actually.