Thursday 28 August 2014

Crown desperately fights to maintain secrecy of CIA Lockerbie cables

[On this date fourteen years ago, the Scottish Court in the Netherlands was still engaged with the issue of the CIA cables relating to Libyan defector Abdul Majid Giaka. Redacted versions of the cables had been made available to the defence, over the Crown’s strenuous objections. The Lord Advocate, Colin Boyd QC, was now opposing the defence’s contention that the redacted portions (or some of them) should be disclosed. Here is how the matter was reported on the website TheLockerbieTrial.com:]

The Lord Advocate, Colin Boyd QC, addressed the court this morning and defended the CIA's position on the three remaining areas that are yet to be un-redacted from the cables supplied to the defence.

He told the court that those areas concerned operational matters and the identity of individuals whose lives could be at risk if identified. He spoke of the unprecedented actions of the CIA in placing these documents into this or any other jurisdiction.

He also told the court that there was nothing in the cables, which supported the special defence that has been lodged by the accused's legal teams. The Lord Advocate then indicated that much of the cables' content is not admissible to the court, as it is gossip, hearsay or speculation.

The court heard that one of the names mentioned in the cables is that of Vincent Vassallo, the Maltese businessman who was a partner in the Medtours business along with Fhimah.

He informed the court that the Crown was given access to the unedited versions of the cables in the US Embassy in The Hague, but that those present had to undertake not to disclose any of the information and were not to take notes. He then said that the Crown had behaved properly.

Without elaborating, William Taylor QC for Megrahi told the court there were now "a number of routes available to the accused" which would have "repercussions for the court itself".

The court adjourned until Tuesday morning to allow the defence to take instructions from their clients.

1 comment:

  1. LIVING WITH THE "LOCKERBIE AFFAIR" - 2014, (google translation, german/english):

    Summons to Mr. Badri Hassan (ex company ABH in Zurich / CH). Dear Mr. Badri - please get in touch with MEBO Ltd. in Zurich, or contact in this case, the Swiss intelligence agencies 'NDB', in Bern.

    As a former friend and "ally" of Abdelbaset al-Megrahi (1987/88) you know the exact background, why the late Abdelbaset al-Megrahi, from "consistent reasons" - nothing can have to do with the crash of the 'PanAm 103', over Lockerbie !
    Hassan Badri - please help for restoring the honor oft the deceased Abdelbaset al-Megrahi and Libya.
    by Edwin Bollier & MEBO LTD Telecommunication Switzerland. Webpage: www.lockerbie.ch
    +++

    LEBEN MIT DER "LOCKERBIE AFFÄRE", 2014
    Aufruf an Mr. Badri Hassan (ex Firma ABH in Zürich/CH).
    Mr. Badri - bitte melden Sie sich bei MEBO AG in Zürich, oder kontaktieren Sie in dieser Angelegenheit, den Schweizerischen Nachrichtendienst 'NDB' in Bern.
    Als ehemaliger Freund und "Verbündeter" von Abdelbaset al-Megrahi (1987 /88) kennen Sie die genauen Hintergründe, wieso der verstorbene Abdelbaset al-Megrahi, aus "konsequenten Gründen" - nichts mit dem Absturz der 'PanAm 103', über Lockerbie, zutun haben kann !
    Hassan Badri bitte helfe die Ehre vom verstorbenen Abdelbaset al-Megrahi und Libyen wieder herzustellen.

    Edwin Bollier & MEBO LTD Telecommunication Switzerland. Webpage: www.lockerbie.ch

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