John Pilger: The Assange case means we are all suspects now

[marmar]

This week's Supreme Court hearing in the Julian Assange case has profound meaning for the preservation of basic freedoms in western democracies.

This is Assange's final appeal against his extradition to Sweden to face allegations of sexual misconduct that were originally dismissed by the chief prosecutor in Stockholm and constitute no crime in Britain.

The consequences, if he loses, lie not in Sweden but in the shadows cast by America's descent into totalitarianism. In Sweden, he is at risk of being "temporarily surrendered" to the US where his life has been threatened and he is accused of "aiding the enemy" with Bradley Manning, the young soldier accused of leaking evidence of US war crimes to WikiLeaks.

The connections between Manning and Assange have been concocted by a secret grand jury in Alexandria, Virginia, which allowed no defence counsel or witnesses, and by a system of plea-bargaining that ensures a 90 per cent conviction. It is reminiscent of a Soviet show trial. ...............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/3806462.html

[xchrom]

1. du rec. nt

[izquierdista]

2. He's exaggerating

Even in Soviet show trials, the General Secretary of the Communist Party didn't weigh in on the guilt of the accused before the trial ever opened.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

9. Link to Soviet show trials?

[izquierdista]

11. Here you go

http://www.hrono.ru/dokum/1938buharin/index.php

[IDemo]

3. "Now"?

I tend to think citizens have been widely regarded as perps until otherwise proven innocent for a while.

[JSnuffy]

4. Silly at best...

The 1st amendment does not give one the right to divulge classified documents.

[MNBrewer]

5. The nasty underside of the Administration (Republican AND Democratic) must remain invisible

Any attempt to expose the nefariousness of the Government is to be ruthlessly squashed.

[JSnuffy]

7. What would you expect?

Ok Mr. Assange, We are gonna let it go this time but next... please don't?

[MNBrewer]

8. how about "Mr. Bush, Mr. Obama, we will hold you accountable for your crimes"?

[JSnuffy]

10. I prefer to deal in realism...

... but that's just me.

[Matariki]

6. "America's descent into totalitarianism"

Wow. Those are some strong words for a mainstream media outlet's page. Maybe it's time to worry?