Husband of NSA-leak reporter detained under UK anti-terror law

[News_Editor]

LONDON, ENGLAND (BNO NEWS) -- The husband of the Guardian journalist who worked with American whistleblower Edward Snowden to expose details about the U.S. government's secret surveillance programs was detained at a London airport on Sunday and questioned under British anti-terror legislation.

David Miranda, who lives with journalist Glenn Greenwald, was detained at around 8 a.m. local time on Sunday when he landed at Heathrow Airport following a flight from the German capital of Berlin. He was scheduled to pass through the London airport on his way to Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.

An unidentified spokesman for the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), which is better known as Scotland Yard, said Miranda was detained at 08:05 a.m. under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000. "He was not arrested. He was subsequently released at 17:00," the spokesman said on Monday.

Under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000, British police have the authority to detain and question a person for up to nine hours to determine whether that individual is involved in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism. The person must be released after nine hours unless charges are filed or a court allows more time for questioning.

British authorities emphasized that the anti-terrorism law is used "appropriately and proportionally," but Scotland Yard declined to provide further details about Sunday's incident. "We're not going into any further detail [regarding] the reasons for the stop, I'm afraid," the spokesman said in an e-mail.

Greenwald, who has worked extensively with Snowden as he revealed classified and previously unknown details about the U.S. government's secret surveillance programs, said his husband had spent the week in Berlin. Miranda had spent time there with American filmmaker Laura Poitras, who has worked with Greenwald on stories about the National Security Agency (NSA) leaks.

"They obviously had zero suspicion that David was associated with a terrorist organization or involved in any terrorist plot," Greenwald said on Monday in a blog post on the Guardian website. "Instead, they spent their time interrogating him about the NSA reporting which Laura Poitras, the Guardian and I are doing, as well the content of the electronic products he was carrying."

The journalist, who condemned the detention of his partner, said British authorities had seized numerous possessions that Miranda was carrying, including his laptop, his cellphone, various video game consoles, DVDs, and USB sticks. It was not clear when, or if, the possessions would be returned to Miranda.

"They completely abused their own terrorism law for reasons having nothing whatsoever to do with terrorism: a potent reminder of how often governments lie when they claim that they need powers to stop 'the terrorists,' and how dangerous it is to vest unchecked power with political officials in its name," Greenwald said.

The journalist said he believes the British action was "obviously designed" to send a message of intimidation to journalists reporting on the NSA and its British counterpart, the GCHQ. "This is obviously a rather profound escalation of their attacks on the news-gathering process and journalism," he said.

Greenwald added: "It's bad enough to prosecute and imprison sources. It's worse still to imprison journalists who report the truth. But to start detaining the family members and loved ones of journalists is simply despotic. Even the Mafia had ethical rules against targeting the family members of people they felt threatened by."

But the journalist, who is originally from the U.S. but lives in Rio de Janeiro with his partner, vowed to continue his work. "If the UK and US governments believe that tactics like this are going to deter or intimidate us in any way from continuing to report aggressively on what these documents reveal, they are beyond deluded," he said. "If anything, it will have only the opposite effect: to embolden us even further."

The Brazilian government expressed its "grave concern" about the incident in a statement released by the country's foreign ministry. "This measure is without justification since it involves an individual against whom there are no charges that can legitimate the use of that legislation," it said. "The Brazilian government expects that incidents such as the one that happened to the Brazilian citizen today do not repeat."

Human rights group Amnesty International also condemned Miranda's detention, describing it as unlawful and unwarranted. "It is utterly improbable that David Michael Miranda ... was detained at random, given the role his husband has played in revealing the truth about the unlawful nature of NSA surveillance," said Widney Brown of Amnesty International.

Brown added: "Davidâs detention was unlawful and inexcusable. He was detained under a law that violates any principle of fairness and his detention shows how the law can be abused for petty vindictive reasons. ... The only possible intent behind this detention was to harass him and his husband, Guardian journalist Glenn Greenwald, for his role in analyzing the data released by Edward Snowden."

(Copyright 2013 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved. Info: [email protected].)

[Scott]

The stories are also running here:

http://www.theguardi...tained-heathrow

The story was also reported on CNN:

http://edition.cnn.c...html?hpt=ieu_c2

[Credo]

One of the hazards of the job, I guess.

[jbrain]

The British government still in bed with the US it seems.

[Credo]

I am pretty sure the British gov't is capable of acting all by itself without the US instructing it. I bet they didn't even call someone from the US in to tell them what to ask.

[cloudhopper]

Nothing but sheer harassment and intimidation. Classic police state.

[lomatopo]

This is simply a message to all reporters. If you report on activities the State finds objectionable, you, your family or anyone deemed close to you may be subject to detainment, questioning and confiscation of your personal property. If you go against the State Security Systems one should probably expect extra scrutiny in all aspects of your life, including tax return audits, revocation of a passport, restricted travel, stop & frisk, et al. This should discourage the Fourth Estate from performing their task of keeping a check on governments.

[Credo]

This should be a message to all people who support traitors that they will have a problem. It should also be noted that they cannot hide behind the cloak of 'journalism.'

[chuckd]

White House Had Advance Notice on Heathrow Detention

By Carol E. Lee

The White House was given advance notice of the British government’s plans to detain the partner of the Guardian reporter who has written a series of high-profile stories about U.S. surveillance practices, a spokesman said Monday.

In the daily White House briefing, spokesman Josh Earnest declined to condemn the detainment and didn’t directly answer questions about whether U.S. officials expressed any concern to their British counterparts about the U.K.’s plans.

“This was something we had an indication was likely to occur,” Mr. Earnest said.

Note: Article abbreviated to comply with fair use. Otherwise remains as printed.

http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2013/08/19/white-house-had-advance-notice-on-heathrow-detention/?mod=WSJ_hpp_LEFTTopStories

[Publicus]

The Government of the United States and allied governments don't know what vital national security information Guardian reporter Glenn Greenwald may have from Edward Snowden, or may yet receive.

Greenwald, and the Wikileaks staff who assisted Snowden travel to Moscow from Hong Kong, may not have any such information. Conversely, they may have such highly classified information of the techniques and methods of U.S. national security services, in addition to the knowledge of other governments' military and security plans and operations that the U.S. has.

Greenwald has a roommate or a spouse, whichever is not clear, who travels globally. The U.S. Government and allied governments don't know if Greenwald or his significant other may be globally transporting vital national security information, loosely carried in their briefcases or whatever.

Snowden fled the United States to the People's Republic of China and then went to Moscow where he is now entrapped. He's received asylum in Venezuela. None of the three governments are trusted friends or allies of the United States or its allies.

So I'm not surprised Greenwald's roommate got stopped, questioned, searched, nor should I be surprised or shocked. I recall the U.S. Government has filed an indictment against Snowden in a U.S. District Court for violations of the Espionage Act.

This is a serious business so Greenwald needs to stop wailing as if he'd just lost a suit at a hotel cleaners.

Edited August 20, 2013 by Publicus

[chuckd]

This should be a message to all people who support traitors that they will have a problem. It should also be noted that they cannot hide behind the cloak of 'journalism.'

In the US, journalists often hide behind the "cloak of journalism".

It is called Freedom of the Press and is covered under the First Amendment.

[cloudhopper]

This should be a message to all people who support traitors that they will have a problem. It should also be noted that they cannot hide behind the cloak of 'journalism.'

Yes soon journalists will not be able to hide anywhere. Exactly the same sentiment that facilitated the rise of Hitler, Peron and the rest.

[FDog]

This should be a message to all people who support traitors that they will have a problem. It should also be noted that they cannot hide behind the cloak of 'journalism.'

Snowden is not British so is not a traitor to Britain.

Why did the British consider it necessary to tell the US what it eas going to do with Miranda?

Why was he deyained under the terrorism law, they have absolutely no information he is a terrorist.

The watchdog also wants answers on why he was detained as it considers this detention highly unusual.

[Credo]

This should be a message to all people who support traitors that they will have a problem. It should also be noted that they cannot hide behind the cloak of 'journalism.'

Snowden is not British so is not a traitor to Britain.

Why did the British consider it necessary to tell the US what it eas going to do with Miranda?

Why was he deyained under the terrorism law, they have absolutely no information he is a terrorist.

The watchdog also wants answers on why he was detained as it considers this detention highly unusual.

Perhaps they consider his spouse to be a traitor. It's not a big leap to link a traitor with terrorism, by the way.

[Guest]

What the heck is happening in the UK? First Miranda, and now they are destroying Guardians hard drives.

http://mobile.theverge.com/2013/8/19/4638202/uk-officials-destroy-guardian-hard-drives-in-misguided-effort-to-stop

There was a time when East Germany and Stasi was thought to be bad in the western world. Now UK and USA are becoming the same.

Not sure who's quote

First they came for Bradley Manning, and I said nothing because I am not in the army.
Then they came for Julian Assange, and I said nothing because I am not a hacker.
Then they came for Edward Snowden, and I said nothing because I am not a defence contractor.
Then they came for the Guardian, and I said nothing because I am not in the media.

Then they came for me. And there were no whistle blowers left to say anything.

[Zooheekock]

This should be a message to all people who support traitors that they will have a problem. It should also be noted that they cannot hide behind the cloak of 'journalism.'

Yes, that's what it is. And it's also a message about who traitors are: whoever the government says they are, but especially those who reveal truths which are embarrassing to those in power or, if it's easier to get to them, the families and friends of those people. I guess for those who enjoy goose-stepping to the beat of their nation's drum (my country, right or wrong, eh), this is all just great news but for those of us born with a functioning brain, it's a terrible, terrible thing. I have not been so shocked and angered by the actions of my country for a long time; the British have many failings but I hadn't thought that we had collectively fallen this low. On the other hand, at least these events remove any doubts about whether the security services are (i) totally out of control or not and (ii) entirely concerned with protecting their own interests, rather than those of the public.

Edited August 20, 2013 by Zooheekock

[lomatopo]

There are some rumblings that Glenn Greenwald might be indicted, not sure for what crimes, in either/both the U.K. and the U.S.A.

FWIW, Mr. Snowden has been indicted for Espionage, Theft and Conversion of Government Property. AFAIK he has not been charged with Treason, I'm guessing that's the crime people are referring to when they label someone a "traitor"?

This should be a message to all people who support traitors that they will have a problem. It should also be noted that they cannot hide behind the cloak of 'journalism.'

It is easy to imagine loyalists to the Crown spouting these very words in the Colonies circa 1777. Then as now, the use of General Warrants to allow unlimited searches without cause during a "time of war", meant that the Crown could pretty much do whatever they want. So thank goodness traitors became patriots.

[Zooheekock]

So I'm not surprised Greenwald's roommate got stopped, questioned, searched, nor should I be surprised or shocked

It's his partner, not his roommate and he was stopped under anti-terrorism laws. Unfortunately for the police, there is not the faintest whiff of a suggestion that he was suspected of anything remotely related to terrorism so this is an outrageous misuse of the law. He was also kept for the maximum time allowed (something which almost never happens) which, given the fact that he was not asked any questions which had any bearing whatsoever on terrorism, can only be understood as a gross violation of his rights. It's utterly clear what the purpose of this was: it's blatant intimidation. If it happened at Moscow or Tehran airport to someone favoured by the Americans or the British, it would be instantly recognized for the harassment which it is; the fact that it's the Yanquistanis (or one of their performing monkeys) doing it changes nothing.

Edited August 20, 2013 by Zooheekock

[mania]

It is all picking up speed now.

No longer do they even attempt to hide the abuse of

these poorly defined laws.

Laws deemed necessary for the citizens temporary security.

Instead those that created these laws that empowered themselves are now brazen & use it at any time on anyone

they choose. Just utter the magic words "suspected terrorist"

These so called laws to protect are now used against citizens to deny the rights they once held.

All quite sad really

[Sing_Sling]

The British government still in bed with the US it seems.

Never got out and wouldn't . . . unless the US asked them to, of course

This should be a message to all people who support traitors that they will have a problem. It should also be noted that they cannot hide behind the cloak of 'journalism.'

Where does anything say that this man was a traitor? A traitor to whom?

Oh, I see . . . collective guilt like under the Nazis, Stalin, Mao, Pol Pot, Idi Amin and the like.

Nice company you keep

[geriatrickid]

I don't suppose it matters that that encrypted files believed to originate from Snowden were reported to have been found on the Brazilian toyboy, does it?

He was long suspected of being a courier conduit. This is man is involved right up to his plucked eyebrows.

[geriatrickid]

It is all picking up speed now.

No longer do they even attempt to hide the abuse of

these poorly defined laws.

Laws deemed necessary for the citizens temporary security.

Instead those that created these laws that empowered themselves are now brazen & use it at any time on anyone

they choose. Just utter the magic words "suspected terrorist"

These so called laws to protect are now used against citizens to deny the rights they once held.

All quite sad really

I see.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/10253417/Encrypted-computer-files-seized-from-David-Miranda-were-from-US-whistleblower.html

[lomatopo]

toyboy...plucked eyebrows

Homophobic much?

If he was carrying something "illegal" then bloody well arrest him and charge him with a crime. Otherwise, <deleted>.

[Zooheekock]

If he was carrying something "illegal" then bloody well arrest him and charge him with a crime. Otherwise, <deleted>.

And it still has nothing to do with being stopped under anti-terrorism laws. Even the absurd, knicker-wetting hysteria about terrorism you get from right-wingers on forums like this can't be stretched to include within its definition the act of carrying a thumb drive with details about what the American state does on a daily basis.

[Scott]

An off-topic post has been deleted.

[mania]

I don't suppose it matters that that encrypted files believed to originate from Snowden were reported to have been found on the Brazilian toyboy, does it?

He was long suspected of being a courier conduit. This is man is involved right up to his plucked eyebrows.

1- Is it surprising to you that this would now be reported?

2- Does an encrypted file now make a person a terrorist?

If so I am guilty too as I always carry one when I fly.

3- Does Believed now equal suspected? Not that "Believed" or "Suspected" should be enough to

do what is done these days with that flimsy excuse & Not that any of it matters to those with the

big sticks that were supposedly our employees. It would be interesting to know how many

owners/bosses etc. would keep employees that they found were reading their mail,tapping their calls etc.

I hope the citizens/owners of the US fire every last one of them...then hang them

Edited August 20, 2013 by mania

[FDog]

I don't suppose it matters that that encrypted files believed to originate from Snowden were reported to have been found on the Brazilian toyboy, does it?

He was long suspected of being a courier conduit. This is man is involved right up to his plucked eyebrows.

Involved in what? Terrorism or suspected terrorism? He was paid by, therefore employed by, the Guardian. In effect, a journalist.

The Home Office has stated it was completely up to the police to either detain him or not detain him. That being the case I wonder why the police found it necessary to tell the Home Office that he was going to be detained and that the Home Office then found it necessary to tell the White House what was going to happen. Oh but it was just a police matter.

Very strange how he was detained under the anti terrorism legislation yet in 9 hours they never asked him about terrorism. Hence why he is now suing the Home Office and I hope he takes them for millions.

[sustento]

I don't suppose it matters that that encrypted files believed to originate from Snowden were reported to have been found on the Brazilian toyboy, does it?

He was long suspected of being a courier conduit. This is man is involved right up to his plucked eyebrows.

Involved in what? Terrorism or suspected terrorism? He was paid by, therefore employed by, the Guardian. In effect, a journalist.

Greenwald is employed by the Guardian. Miranda isn't. He's Greenwald's partner.

[sustento]

There's a petition going at change.org asking the UK government to reconsider the Section that Miranda was detained under

http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/ukhomeoffice-theresa-may-review-the-use-of-schedule-7-of-terrorism-act

[lomatopo]

It seems like most of the people detained under this Schedule 7 Terrorism Act 2000 are held for a very short time, certainly less than the nine (9) hour limit. Interestingly, Mr. Miranda was held for exactly nine hours, and it appears as though he was denied access to legal representation, for all but his last hour. The U.S. Government, based on comments made by the White House, has acknowledged that the U.K. informed them in advance that Mr. Miranda would be detained.

It is still not clear why the Metropolitan Police considered Mr. Miranda to be a potential terrorist? Hopefully they will share that information in the coming days.

Nearly every effort the various government's Ministries for State Security take to to muzzle Mr. Snowden seems to backfire - waylaying the Bolivian president's plane, destroying material in newspaper offices, legally kidnapping Mr. Miranda - making these governments look much worse. That old chestnut, that "government intelligence" is an oxymoron is ringing more true every day. You'd think they'd learn not to display their clumsiness in ways which call into quesiton the very activities that they seek hide.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/interactive/2013/aug/20/david-miranda-letter-home-office

Edited August 21, 2013 by lomatopo