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Julian Assange Enters Plea Deal: US Espionage Charges Dropped

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PTI
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Julian Assange Enters Plea Deal: US Espionage Charges Dropped 2

After prolonged legal battles and appeals, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has reached a pivotal plea deal with the US government, court documents reveal.

Assange faced charges including computer misuse and multiple counts of espionage, linked to his work with WikiLeaks publishing sensitive US government documents provided by Chelsea Manning. The US government has frequently asserted that Assange’s actions jeopardized national security.

US Federal Court documents from Saipan in the Northern Mariana Islands indicate Assange will plead guilty to a single count under the US Espionage Act. Consequently, the remaining charges will be dismissed, and the extradition request to the US will be withdrawn. The US has yet to confirm the deal publicly.

A hearing and sentencing in Saipan are scheduled for Wednesday morning, with Assange expected to appear in person. He’s been released from London’s Belmarsh prison, as WikiLeaks shared images of him traveling to London’s Stansted Airport.

The UK High Court has granted Assange bail. Upon his guilty plea, Assange will be sentenced to 62 months in prison, covering time already served in Belmarsh. This resolution concludes ongoing legal actions, including the UK High Court proceedings and the UK Home Secretary’s extradition order.

Speculation about this plea deal had been circulating earlier this year. Many anticipated a guilty plea to a misdemeanour related to document mishandling rather than an Espionage Act charge. Initial rumours also suggested a remote completion, but Assange will now be present in court.

This case holds significance as a national security offence for which Assange served over five years. This conviction will likely restrict his travel opportunities, especially to the US, which may not grant him a visa.

The case sets a practical precedent, even if not a legal one, indicating that a publisher can be convicted under the Espionage Act. Journalists have long feared this outcome, worrying it could recur.

There are multiple reasons why the US opted for a plea deal instead of continuing litigation. The Australian government, advocating for the case’s resolution, has exerted significant pressure. The case has garnered bipartisan support in Australia.

Though a plea deal hasn’t been officially confirmed, a government spokesperson reaffirmed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s stance against Assange’s continued incarceration.

This consistent advocacy has altered the political landscape. Growing US consensus, even among Republicans, now sees continued prosecution as against public interest.

The upcoming UK general election, likely changing the government, might have affected the extradition order. These factors influenced the US to end the Assange saga.

What lies ahead? Post the Saipan hearing, Assange can return to Australia. The Saipan court was chosen due to Assange’s reluctance to travel to the US mainland and its closer proximity to Australia.

Assange will find future travel challenging because of his serious criminal record, potentially affecting his UK travel, where he was convicted for absconding bail, receiving a year’s imprisonment.

Looking forward, a presidential pardon in the US remains a possibility, contingent on the outcome of the November US elections. The US exhibits greater leniency in granting pardons than most nations.

For now, Assange’s immediate focus is the Saipan court appearance and subsequent return to Australia, albeit with a substantial criminal record.

“Opposition Wanted to Dictate Terms,” Says Piyush Goyal as Consensus Evades Government on Speaker Post

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ANI
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"Opposition Wanted to Dictate Terms," Says Piyush Goyal as Consensus Evades Government on Speaker Post 4

After failing to build a consensus for the Lok Sabha Speaker post, Bharatiya Janata Party MP Piyush Goyal on Tuesday said that when Rajnath Singh tried, the Congress put the condition of deciding the Deputy Speaker post first. Piyush Goyal said that his party condemned this type of politics.

“After discussions with all the parties of the NDA, it was decided that Om Birla should be chosen as the speaker of the Lok Sabha. In the morning, Rajnath Singh ji wanted to discuss with Mallikarjun Kharge ji, but he was busy, so he said that Venugopal ji would talk to you. But after speaking with TR Baalu and KC Venugopal ji, the old mentality that we will dictate the terms was shown again that the condition is that first decide who will be the Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha and then support will be given for the Speaker, we condemn this type of politics,” Goyal said. He further said that it is a good tradition that if the Lok Sabha had elected a Speaker unanimously and unopposed, then the dignity of the House would have been maintained and all the parties would have contributed as well.

“Just like the Speaker belongs to the entire House and not to the ruling or opposition party, the Deputy Speaker also belongs to the entire House. It is not in keeping with the tradition of the Lok Sabha that the deputy speaker should be from a particular party,” Piyush Goyal added. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, “Mallikarjun Kharge is a senior leader, and I respect him. I have had a conversation with him three times since yesterday.”

Senior JDU leader and minister Lalan Singh said democracy does not work on conditions. “KC Venugopal and TR Balu had come. They spoke to the Defence Minister. The Defence Minister informed about the Lok Sabha Speaker candidate from the NDA side, and he asked for support. Venugopal said that the name of the deputy speaker should be accepted… The defence minister said that when that election comes, we will sit together and discuss… They were adamant on their condition. ‘Sharton ke aadhar par wo loktantra chalana chahte hain, dabaav ki rajneeti karna chate hain… This does not work in a democracy,” Lalan Singh said.

Meanwhile, efforts by the BJP’s top leadership to broker a consensus on the position of the speaker of the 18th Lok Sabha came to naught when the INDIA bloc decided to field 8-time MP K Suresh for the post. His nomination followed the filing of a nomination by the BJP’s Kota MP Om Birla for the post. Birla was the speaker in the 17th Lok Sabha as well.

This will be the first time that elections will be held for the Speaker of the lower house. Since independence, the Lok Sabha Speaker and deputy Speaker have been elected by consensus between the ruling party and the opposition. The elections for the post will be held on June 26. The NDA, which has 293 MPs in the 543-member Lok Sabha, enjoys a clear majority, with the opposition INDIA bloc having 234 MPs.

Delhi Minister Atishi’s Health Deteriorates Due to Hunger Strike, Admitted to Hospital

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ANI
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Delhi Minister Atishi's Health Deteriorates Due to Hunger Strike, Admitted to Hospital 6

Delhi Minister Atishi has been admitted to the hospital after her health condition deteriorated as she was on an indefinite hunger strike against the Haryana government for not releasing 100 million gallons per day (MGD) of water thus creating water crisis in the national capital.

Atishi has been admitted to Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) Hospital in the national capital in the early hours of Tuesday.

Atishi’s indefinite hunger strike entered its fifth day on Tuesday. She said that Haryana is not releasing Delhi’s share of water.

Earlier on June 22, Atishi started her indefinite hunger strike protesting for Haryana to release Delhi water share.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) said doctors have advised Atishi to be admitted to a hospital in view of her deteriorating health but she is fighting for Delhi’s rightful share of water by “risking her life”.

According to the AAP press release, a health checkup done on the minister revealed that her blood pressure and sugar levels dropped drastically.

The speed with which Atishi’s blood sugar level and blood pressure have dropped has been described by doctors as dangerous, said AAP.

Water Minister Atishi, who is on an indefinite hunger strike to ensure the water rights of 2.8 million Delhiites, has said that her indefinite hunger strike will continue till the Haryana government provides the water rights of Delhiites and till the gates of Hathnikund Barrage are not opened, said AAP.

The AAP has alleged that the neighbouring state of Haryana is supplying 100 million gallons per day (MGD) less water every day, which has severely affected the lives of 2.8 million people in Delhi, adding to the problem of water shortage.

The issue of water shortage arose with the high temperatures and heat waves in the national capital.

The people of Delhi have been counting on water tankers to avail their daily requirements of water.

Amid soaring temperatures, these scenes have become a daily occurrence in many areas of the national capital since the start of the summer season this year.

Opposition’s Conditional Support: Rahul Gandhi’s Offer on Lok Sabha Speaker

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ANI
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Opposition's Conditional Support: Rahul Gandhi's Offer on Lok Sabha Speaker 8

In a strategic move, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi announced on Tuesday that the opposition is willing to support the government’s nominee for Lok Sabha Speaker, provided the deputy speaker’s post is allocated to the opposition bloc.

Notably, Gandhi mentioned that Defence Minister and senior BJP leader Rajnath Singh has yet to respond to this demand, underscoring the uncertainty surrounding the arrangement.

Meanwhile, Kota MP Om Birla held a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, fueling speculation that he may be chosen once again for the role of Lok Sabha Speaker, a position he previously held in the last House.

Mumbai Crime Branch Summons Chief BMC Officer in Ghatkopar Hoarding Collapse Case

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PTI
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Mumbai Crime Branch Summons Chief BMC Officer in Ghatkopar Hoarding Collapse Case 10

The Mumbai Crime Branch has summoned Gajanan Bellale, the chief BMC officer of the area of Ghatkopar East, in connection with the Ghatkopar hoarding collapse in Maharashtra. Seventeen people died and 74 were left injured in the incident that happened on May 13 amid strong winds and heavy rains in Mumbai.

The crime branch has asked Bellale to appear for questioning today. Earlier on May 31, the Mumbai Sessions Court dismissed the anticipatory bail plea filed by Jhanvi Marathe, former director of Ego Media, in connection with the Ghatkopar hoarding collapse in Maharashtra.

Marathe, who has been declared ‘absconding’ by the Mumbai Crime Branch, moved the court to secure relief from arrest in the hoarding collapse case. The bail plea was opposed in court by the Mumbai Police Crime Branch. The officials told the court that the paperwork for the collapsed hoarding was done during Marathe’s tenure (2020 to December 2023), before the current director, Bhavesh Bhide, took charge.

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Mumbai Crime Branch has recorded the statements of 20 people in connection with the case so far. Earlier, the Mumbai Crime Branch made a second arrest in connection with the case. Manoj Ramkrishna Sanghu (47), who is on the BMC-approved engineer’s list, was arrested for approving the structural stability certificate on April 24, 2023. Sanghu allegedly provided the structural stability certificate to EGO Media Private LTD for the collapsed hoarding.

Bhavesh Bhide, director of Ego Media, was arrested by the Mumbai Crime Branch from Udaipur in Rajasthan last week and brought to Mumbai. The officials added that police are investigating how Bhide was awarded the hoarding contract and how much he earned. Mumbai Police registered a case under IPC sections 304, 338, 337, and 34 against Bhavesh Bhide and others at Pantnagar police station. Following the incident, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner stated that Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had ordered all hoardings to be checked.

YSRCP Alleges Vendetta Politics as Office Demolished Despite Court Orders

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PTI
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YSRCP Alleges Vendetta Politics as Office Demolished Despite Court Orders 12

In a dramatic turn of events, YSRCP chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has accused the Chandrababu Naidu-led NDA government of engaging in vendetta politics by demolishing the opposition party’s nearly completed central office in Tadepalli, Guntur district. The demolition, conducted early on Saturday, defied high court orders to halt such actions.

Reddy lamented the government’s disregard for judicial authority, stating, ‘Chandrababu has taken vendetta politics to the next level. Like a dictator, he used excavators and bulldozers to tear down YSRCP’s office.’

According to a statement from YSRCP, the party had sought a court injunction to stop the demolition on Friday. Despite the court’s directive, the CRDA proceeded with the demolition, raising concerns of contempt of court. Reddy vowed that the YSRCP would not be intimidated by these tactics and will continue to fight for justice on behalf of the people.

Activist Manoj Jarange Accuses Maharashtra Government of Creating Maratha-OBC Tension

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PTI
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Activist Manoj Jarange Accuses Maharashtra Government of Creating Maratha-OBC Tension 14

In a recent interview, activist Manoj Jarange accused the Maharashtra government of deliberately fuelling tensions between the Maratha and OBC communities. Jarange, who spoke exclusively to ABP Maza after being discharged from a hospital, alleged that certain government officials harbor animosity towards the Maratha community.

Jarange claimed that around 8-9 individuals within the government hold ‘hatred’ for the Maratha community, promising to reveal their identities at an opportune moment. He emphasized that the government is intentionally pushing new leaders to the front while sidelining others to create divisions among groups.

The activist is advocating for the implementation of a draft notification that would grant Kunbi certificates to Marathas, making them eligible for government job and education quotas. This comes amid protests and hunger strikes across Maharashtra, with OBC activists demanding assurances that their quota will remain unaffected.

Father Killed for Rejecting Daughter’s Interfaith Marriage Proposal in Thane

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Web Team
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Image: ClarionIndia

A 46-year-old man from Maharashtra’s Thane district was allegedly killed by three people because he opposed an interfaith marriage proposal involving one of the accused and his daughter, an official said on Friday.

According to the police, the accused, Avinash Khairat, had one-sided feelings for Zakir Miya Shaikh’s daughter and had repeatedly sought her hand in marriage despite being rejected by her father.

Khairat and two other individuals allegedly stormed into Shaikh’s home in Kalyan taluka during Eid festivities. They reportedly killed him with sharp weapons and sticks and assaulted others, including women, the official stated.

The officer added that the trio brutally assaulted Zakir. He was immediately taken to a nearby hospital and later transferred to Chhatrapati Shivaji Hospital in Kalva due to severe injuries. Zakir passed away late Tuesday night, prompting the Kalyan Taluka police to register an FIR under Section 302 of the IPC for murder and start searching for the trio. The Titwala Taluka police have detained two individuals in connection with the case.

Haider Shaikh, the son of the deceased, said that they were not present at home when his father was assaulted.

The Hindustan Times quoted the distraught son, saying, “We all brothers were at Haji Ali when the incident occurred, leaving my father alone to confront the assailants. One of them wanted to marry my sister against my father’s wishes. We are deeply upset by this incident; there were better ways to approach our family on the issue. We urge the police to ensure severe punishment for the accused.”

A murder charge has been filed against the trio, and an arrest warrant has been issued, according to the official.

Bombay HC Raps Maharashtra Govt For Not Implementing SC Orders On ‘Living Will’

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PTI
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Image: PTI

The Bombay High Court expressed displeasure on Thursday over the Maharashtra government’s failure to fully implement the Supreme Court’s directions on the issue of ‘living will’.


A division bench of Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Amit Borkar said it was “unfortunate” that someone had to file a petition to get a judgment passed by the top court implemented.

A living will is a legal document that a person can execute in advance, spelling out medical treatments they would or would not want used to keep them alive in case of medical emergency or terminal illness, as well as preferences for other medical decisions, such as pain management or organ donation.

As per the SC judgment, all municipal corporations have to set up medical boards and nominate a competent authority as a custodian to preserve living wills.

A person has to notarise two copies of the will. During medical treatment and emergencies, one copy has to be provided to the doctor, who will then call for a second copy from the custodian for verification, and decide the course of treatment as per the wishes expressed in the living will.

Dr Nikhil Datar, a gynaecologist and activist, had filed a public interest litigation seeking the implementation of the SC judgment in Maharashtra.

The state government had in March submitted an affidavit, informing the HC that it had appointed 417 custodians.

On Thursday, Mr Datar told the court that apart from a primary medical board that gives its opinion on the execution of a living will, the state is also supposed to set up a secondary medical board that includes a registered medical practitioner.

The secondary medical board affirms the opinion of the primary board, after which the will can be executed. Without the secondary board, a living will cannot be executed, but the government has not yet set up this body, Mr Datar said.

The bench then questioned the state government about why it did not implement the SC directive wholly.

“It is unfortunate that a person has to file a petition to comply with the directions of the Supreme Court. Why can’t you have a permanent secondary board? Every doctor is registered… Why can’t you do this?” the high court said.

The court adjourned the hearing to July 18, asking the state government to inform, by that date, about the steps taken to implement the SC order.

The court also issued notices to the Medical Council of India and the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, as Mr Datar sought to add them as respondents.

Setback for Kejriwal as HC Puts On Hold Trial Court Order Granting Bail Till It Hears ED’s Plea

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PTI
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Setback for Kejriwal as HC Puts On Hold Trial Court Order Granting Bail Till It Hears ED's Plea 18

The Delhi High Court on Friday put on hold the trial court order granting bail to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal till it hears the ED’s plea challenging the relief granted to him in the money laundering case linked to the alleged excise scam.

The Enforcement Directorate mentioned its plea challenging the trial court order before a bench of Justices Sudhir Kumar Jain and Ravinder Dudeja, which said the case file will come before it soon and till then the trial court order shall not be acted upon.

The matter has been listed for hearing during the day.

Additional Solicitor General S V Raju, representing the ED, sought a stay on the trial court order passed on Thursday evening, contending that the agency was not given a proper opportunity to argue its case.

He said the trial court pronounced the order around 8 pm on June 20 and the order is not yet made available to them. Even after passing of the order when the ED lawyers urged the trial court to keep its order in abeyance for 48 hours to enable them to approach superior courts, the prayer was not considered, the ASG contended.

“I was not allowed to argue fully. I was not given proper time of 2-3 days to file written submissions. This is not done. On merits, I have an excellent case. The trial court said finish of in half an hour as it wanted to deliver the judgment. It did not give us full opportunity to argue the case,” Raju contended.

“I am making the allegations with full seriousness,” he added.

Section 45 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act says an opportunity must be granted to the public prosecutor to present his case but that opportunity was not granted to me, he contended.

“Let the order be stayed and the plea be heard as early as possible. That order cannot be allowed to stand even for a day,” the law officer said.

The plea was opposed by senior advocates Abhishek Singhvi and Vikram Chaudhari, representing Kejriwal, submitting that the allegations made by the ED counsel were patently incorrect and it was astonishing that they cannot accept anything with grace.

“The noise and heat is not going to solve this problem,” Singhvi said.

He said there are 10 judgments of the Supreme Court which say cancellation or reversal of bail is radically different from grant of bail.

Chaudhari said, “This person was released by the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court granted him liberty. This would be a travesty of justice. We are on caveat here and we should be given opportunity to be heard. We would address arguments. An ex-parte order of such a nature…”

To this, Justice Jain said, “File is coming to me in 10-15 minutes after proper numbering, thereafter, you can start your arguments. You can argue for as much time as you want to argue”.

The ED had arrested Kejriwal on March 21, shortly after the Delhi High Court refused to grant him protection from arrest on his petition challenging summonses issued to him.

While pronouncing the order on Thursday, the trial court ordered Kejriwal’s release on a personal bond of ₹1 lakh and imposed certain conditions, including that he will not try to hamper the investigation or influence the witnesses.

The judge had also directed Kejriwal to appear before the court whenever required and to cooperate with the investigation.

On May 10, the Supreme Court had granted interim bail to Kejriwal till June 1 to campaign in the Lok Sabha elections, saying he will have to surrender and go back to jail on June 2. Kejriwal had surrendered before Tihar jail authorities on June 2 and has been there since then.

The trial court had on June 5 denied him interim bail which he sought citing several ailments.

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