British officials detained David Miranda, the Brazilian partner of Glenn Greenwald–the gay political journalist who has been linked to the Edward Snowden affair–early Sunday at London’s Heathrow Airport.
According to the The Washington Post, Miranda was detained for nine hours, an unusually long time for such interrogations, under section 7 of British Terrorism Act of 200.
Miranda was not charged with violating any law, and it is highly unlikely authorities suspect the 28-year -old from Rio has any involvement with terrorism. Miranda was released but not before officials confiscated his laptop and cell phone.
Greenwald has penned exposes of the American government’s domestic surveillance programs. He contends that Miranda, who has assisted Greenwald in his pro-Snowden activities, was arrested only to “send a message of intimidation” to those trying to help Snowden release U.S. government wrongdoing.
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Section 7 has been criticized for giving authorities almost unlimited power to detain, search and question almost anyone passing through British transport centers.
For his part, Greenwald insisted the detention backfired: “If the U.K. and U.S. 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. If anything, it will have only the opposite effect: to embolden us even further.”
2eo
My countries government is absolutely in bed with America, it is a clear act of intimidation by my country, and it shows up how terrified they are.
Keep it up, you’re all heroes to every good person left on this planet.
Kieran
I suppose Miranda should be grateful the British only confiscated his cell phone and laptop and didn’t pack him off to the Guantanomo prison camp for further interogation.
But can we get back to some really important news now?
The BBC and CNN are reporting exclusively that His Royal Highness Prince William is enjoying fatherhood immensely.
Polaro
Disturbing, if true.
DistingueTraces
Okay, I was very distressed about this story when I first read about it a couple of days ago, and everyone who cares at all about liberty should take it very seriously.
However.
I’ve read quite a few updates since then, but this is the first time I’ve seen an accompanying photo showing David Miranda, the partner in question. And having now seen him I can only say:
Glenn. Get it, gurl!
jeff4justice
Let’s hope Obama’s NDAA does not detain them.
Fuck the 2-party system charade.
Geoff B
Without taking sides on this issue, I have to remark how interesting it is that the far right Tea Partiers and the far left actually found something to agree on. Having said that, I do find it odd this is such a shock to anyone. I figured this was common knowledge since the birth of the Patriot Act. Why this outrage about Snowden now? This has probably been going on for over a decade not only here, but all over Europe as we’ll.
the other Greg
I’m embarrassed to say I had no idea Greenwald was gay! – don’t recall him ever writing about it in Salon or the Guardian (maybe I missed it), and the few times I’ve seen him on TV my gaydar didn’t particularly ping (hm, maybe I’m slipping). He is a great man, and likely doing something fairly dangerous as we can see from this pitiful incident.
At least this reminds me to BOOKMARK the Guardian site and try to keep up more with the *real* news. Anyone who’s unfamiliar with him, check out his writing.
2eo
@the other Greg: Good man, I don’t know if you’ve been following the news over here, but it’s being completely glossed over by every single outlet except the Guardian.
Sadly even the BBC are have fallen completely into the Tory lines, terrified of cuts. Becoming yet another right wing media tool.