WikiLeaks and Assange lawyer decides not to represent Snowden, claims his “whereabouts are unknown

[anobserver2]

Source: The Next Web. com

Baltasar Garzón, the lawyer who represents both WikiLeaks and Julian Assange, has released a new statement claiming that his firm, ILOCAD, “has decided not to represent” PRISM whistleblower Edward Snowden. Most interestingly, however, is Garzón’s claim that Snowden’s “whereabouts are unknown.”...

Writing on the official WikiLeaks site, Garzón referenced a recent “draft resolution by the Committee Legal Affairs and Human Rights of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly [SIC],” which he indicated was written in both WikiLeaks’ and Snowden’s interest. Beyond that, it appears WikiLeaks is looking to distance itself from Snowden entirely — at least in the public eye....

Read more: http://thenextweb.com/insider/2013/06/26/wikileaks-and-assange-lawyer-decides-not-to-represent-snowden-claims-his-whereabouts-are-unknown/

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According to a google search, this news story above was posted 9 hours ago:


WikiLeaks and Assange lawyer decides not to represent Snowden, claims his “whereabouts are unknown”
The Next Web ‎- by Harrison Weber ‎- 9 hours ago
Baltasar Garzón, the lawyer who represents both WikiLeaks and Julian Assange, has released a new statement claiming that his firm, ILOCAD, ...

[anobserver2]

1. Very creepy, this "whereabouts unknown"

Very creepy, this "whereabouts unknown"

But, I would guess: accurate.

However, not a time one would want a lawyer to announce: don't call me.

[anobserver2]

11. Look at this tweet from Wikileaks: an American lawyer is being retained for Snowden

WikiLeaks ‏@wikileaks 8h

WikiLeaks has acquired a US attorney for Mr. Snowden who will be named in due course.

WikiLeaks WikiLeaksVerified account ‏@wikileaks

https://twitter.com/wikileaks/status/349951460819210241
WikiLeaks has acquired a US attorney for Mr. Snowden who will be named in due course.

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[anobserver2]

12. Also from Wikileaks twitter on Garzon comments

https://twitter.com/wikileaks

WikiLeaks ‏@wikileaks 7h

WikiLeaks is still assisting Edward Snowden's asylum process. The comments by Baltasar Garzon only reflect preventing a legal conflict.
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I am wondering if Edward Snowden is even alive. Does Wikileaks have any comment on that? Have they talked to Snowden lately?

[OilemFirchen]

40. "The comments by Baltasar Garzon only reflect preventing a legal conflict."

Reads, clumsily:

"Too much liability."

[treestar]

42. I dont see offhand any conflict of interest

in representing Wikileaks and Snowden. It's like saying I represented a plaintiff in an auto accident case, now I can't represent any other plaintiffs.

[OilemFirchen]

46. No, I'm thinking in terms of abetting a fugitive charged with espionage.

It's one thing to represent his defense. Quite another to help him avoid prosecution.

Probably not the biggest risk an attorney can take, but likely not worth it - especially when there might be limited bennies involved.

[treestar]

49. I could see taking his case

Talk about 15 minutes of fame. But likely he'd be one of those pain in the ass clients.

[grasswire]

2. what is "thenextweb.com"?

Never heard of it.

[anobserver2]

4. Same here - never heard of it - but see WSJ article and link I just posted

WSJ is reporting the same info.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324328204578569540564167724.html

[anobserver2]

3. WSJ is reporting the same info - also 9 hours ago

From a google search:

WikiLeaks Lawyer Turns Down Request to Defend Snowden - WSJ ...
online.wsj.com/.../SB10001424127887324328204578569540564167724....
9 hours ago – The Spanish lawyer Baltasar Garzóon said he would continue to serve as senior legal counsel for Julian Assange.

From WSJ:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324328204578569540564167724.html

EUROPE NEWS
June 26, 2013, 12:19 p.m. ET

WikiLeaks Lawyer Turns Down Request to Defend Snowden
Baltasar Garzón, a former judge in Spain, gave no reason for his decision....

[cantbeserious]

5. Beginning To Suspect That The Travel To Moscow Was A Huge Misdirection And

Snowden Is In One Of Three States:

1) Already rendered and in custody,
2) Safely tucked away in a secluded place, or
3) No Longer among the living.

[anobserver2]

7. Agree

Agree with your assessment.

[pnwmom]

10. If he was dead, wouldn't his attorney be screaming that to the heavens?

Or if he'd been grabbed by Russian or the US and taken into custody?

Earlier, Wikileaks said Harrison was with Snowden at all times. When did that change?

[cynzke]

55. While Russia Is Playing Games

With the US. Its temporary. Snowden is a hot potato for Russia and they want him out before he get too much attention there by their citizens.

[anobserver2]

6. Statement posted on Wikileaks site confirms

From wikileaks:

http://wikileaks.org/Further-Statement-From-Baltasar.html

Further Statement From Baltasar Garzón
Wednesday June 26, 15:00 BST

Madrid, 25 June 2013

PRESS RELEASE FOR MEDIA AND OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES

This serves to state that the Law firm ILOCAD has decided not to represent Mr. Snowden, whose whereabouts are unknown. We continue to represent Mr. Assange and WikiLeaks as senior legal counsel in the defence of the fundamental right to freedom of information and expression. In this vein, we are satisfied with the recently approved draft resolution by the Committee Legal Affairs and Human Rights of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly. It states that those who disclose criminal acts in the public interest should be protected from retaliation and persecution from those who commit them.

Baltasar Garzón

[pnwmom]

8. Are they afraid of Russia? Or has their client decided to defect,

rendering their services unnecessary?

[hack89]

54. Helping fugitives evade arrest is a dangerous game to play.

Wikileaks would be fools to get dragged into that mess.

[pnwmom]

58. Earlier that same day Wikileaks was bragging that they had Harrison

accompanying Snowden in Russia at every moment.

They didn't get dragged into the mess -- they jumped in with both feet. But now they seem to be having second thoughts.

[leveymg]

9. Judge Garzon does not represent Bradley Manning, either, and likely for similar reasons

Snowden, like Manning, is beyond the help of mere lawyers. Assange did not break the law in his role releasing U.S. state secrets, and a good lawyer is essential to keeping him out of jail. On the other hand, not much can be done legally for other two except, perhaps, mitigation.

[struggle4progress]

59. Does Garzon have any expertise defending soldiers in courts-martial under UCMJ?

[leveymg]

60. Obviously not, but that doesn't mean he wouldn't be a valuable defense team member,

particularly where (as I believe is the case with Manning) the defense raises international human right law as an issue.

[struggle4progress]

62. Write Mr Coombs right now! I'm sure he's eager to hear your ideas about how best to defend Manning!

[anobserver2]

13. This is a lot of breaking news - one lawyer out, another coming in...

...and no one has said they have talked with Snowden lately. Very odd; very very odd and very very creepy, this whole thing.

[Hissyspit]

15. I don't understand what you mean by "creepy?"

Odd, yes.

[anobserver2]

17. The lawyer saying Snowden's "whereabouts are unknown" - creepy

I find that creepy: The lawyer saying Snowden's "whereabouts are unknown."

It sounds like he's saying: I can't contact the guy, so, I can't represent him.

It would not have been so creepy if he said, "I spoke to Snowden and he decided to get an American lawyer [as per Wikileaks announcement,]."

The "whereabouts unknown" plus the "I'm no longer his lawyer" announcement, are, together, creepy, in my book.


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[OilemFirchen]

44. Maybe...

[SoapBox]

14. ROFL!

The Traitor Snowden, is too hot to handle, even for Assange.

Hilarious!

[Narkos]

16. Interesting...as he spills the beans to the FSB....

[Hissyspit]

19. You know, if you are going to speculate

It's easier to take seriously if you state it as speculation than as fact.

[Narkos]

20. You know, there has been so much fucking speculation

on the part of the Snowden fan club on this board, that I am going to actually take the liberty to assume that Russian intelligence is going to try to pry everything they can out of our little friend. Crazy, isn't it?

[anobserver2]

21. Yeah, I think you are exactly correct

Re: "I am going to actually take the liberty to assume that Russian intelligence is going to try to pry everything they can'

Yeah, I think you are exactly correct. Does anyone really believe he is just sitting around in an airport in Moscow, doing absolutely nothing
but twiddling his thumbs, waiting to hear from a country? I don't think so.

[Narkos]

22. According to Hissyspit and company, Putin is our friend and a champion of freedom

and is just trying to do what is right.

[Hissyspit]

24. I've never said anything such thing.

Just keep making shit up, hunh?

[Narkos]

25. No. I just have a hunch

[Hissyspit]

27. Yeah, that's what I thought.

Making shit up without a clue.

[Hissyspit]

28. I have no idea what's up with Snowden.

Or what the FSB is doing.

[Narkos]

31. But you apparently know all about

The evil US surveillance apparatus, no ?

[Hissyspit]

36. No.

Anything you else you want to make up in your head?

[Narkos]

38. Oh, no.

I think we're good. I'll just make sure posts are up to your standards next time. Thanks.

[Hissyspit]

26. It doesn't have anything to do with what other people have done.

I didn't say it wasn't o.k. to speculate, now did I?

[Narkos]

32. Of course. You were just being friendly

[leveymg]

33. I'm sure if the situation were reversed, the FBI/CIA/DIA would be doing tag team with a leaker.

So, what does that prove about Snowden - except that intel agencies will always try to exploit any opportunity to gain information. Duh and Da.

[Narkos]

34. It proves that Snowden is an idiot

[leveymg]

37. No, it proves that Snowden is a valuable commodity and he's made a real impact,

for better or worse. That comment proves you have no grasp of the situation, and not much substance to contribute on the topic.

[Narkos]

39. A valuable commodity to our enemies, you are correct comrade.

[leveymg]

41. Don't pull the "comrade" crap, Narkos.

You know who you sound like, don't you?

[Narkos]

43. Awww, sorry

[leveymg]

47. No you aren't. eom

[Narkos]

48. :(

[cynzke]

56. Well?

He may be a commodity but can anyone believe where he is now was part of his plan? I don't, so its not unreasonable for some people to think he is an "idiot" considering the current news. Tomorrow things may change.

[marble falls]

18. Prism the issue. Not Snowden.

[railsback]

30. So no one should care if he's alive or dead.

[blackspade]

35. +1000

[cynzke]

57. Well It Is

On this thread. Both are issues and we are certainly capable of discussing both. Sometimes at the SAME time.

[anobserver2]

29. From Reuters: Russia spies may be chatting with 'tasty morsel' Snowden

Interesting Reuters article here:


Russia spies may be chatting with 'tasty morsel' Snowden

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/25/us-usa-security-snowden-russia-idUSBRE95O1DG20130625

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This whole thing just reads like a spy novel to me, except that: it's happening in real time.

[okaawhatever]

45. Another risk with all this is that any of the countries could put out false info about

programs the u.s. is running. They will come up with all kinds of fun stuff they claim the government is doing to breed distrust. These countries are first class operators in that kind of work.

I'll bet Snowden is in hiding somewhere. We can't very well blame a country for harboring him if we can't prove they're harboring him can we? Russia wants us to turn over their guy, the one we put in jail on weapons charges, Ecuador wants a trade deal, Cuba wants their guys, and Venezuela wants toilet paper. LOL.

[Historic NY]

50. Wait what...........isn't he still in Russia..

is it me or are people suddenly disowning any connection to him...really wikileaks..aren't you the same ganogy that can't get a sunbathing event for your leader.

[fasttense]

51. Here's hoping Snowden is safe.

Despite the pro-spy-on-me crowd here on DU, many of us know Snowden is a hero and we wish him safety from the whistle blower hunt and kill brigade.

[Major Hogwash]

52. Well, that's a new twist.

Last weekend Garzon was all blustery about representing Snowden.

[magical thyme]

53. the last we knew of his whereabouts

he was supposedly in the Moscow airport and supposedly with a representative of Wiki.

Then Wiki said only that he was in a safe place with same Wiki rep. I suspected then he was whisked out of the airport and into deeper hiding.

Because Wiki's lawyer says he doesn't know where Snowden is doe not mean that other people from Wiki don't know where he is. The rep he was with hasn't piped up and said he's no longer with her or that she lost him. Nor has Wiki piped up and mentioned that their rep has gone missing.

The fact is that anybody and everybody could be lying, or withholding info, at this point. If he's been taken into Russian custody without actually disclosing where he's being held to Putin, than he can legitimately say he doesn't know where he is. Likewise with everybody else in this drama.

[Jesus Malverde]

61. Likely Snowden is too smart to get caught up with "lose all the bank data" assange.

An alternate spelling for wikileaks is "Honey pot"