Lawyer for Assange’s Sex Accusers Helped In CIA Torture Rendition

[kpete]

Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Lawyer for Assange Accusers Has Apparent Ties to CIA and Torture
Thomas Bodstrom

A lawyer for the accusers in the case of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has ties to the CIA and torture in the post-9/11 period, according to a 2009 report in Europe.
(Bodström reported over CIA terror deportations)
http://www.thelocal.se/17020/20090119/

......................

Thomas Bodstrom, one of the attorneys representing two women who claim Assange committed sex-related crimes, served as Sweden's minister of justice from 2000-2006, under Prime Minister Goran Persson. The 2009 report, based on a book released at that time, says Bodstrom and Persson used CIA agents to help expel two terror suspects to Egypt, where they reportedly were subjected to torture.

The story even is breaking on YouTube. A new video there uses animation, humor, and the 2009 report to raise serious questions about the motives of the lawyers at the heart of the accusations against Assange.

very interesting....?!?!? from legalschnauzer:
http://legalschnauzer.blogspot.com/2011/01/lawyer-for-assange-accusers-has.html
here is how the story was reported in Europe:
http://www.open.salon.com/blog/rogershuler/2011/01/12/lawyer_for_assange_accusers_has_ties_to_cia_and_torture

[pnwmom]

1. So? The lawyer was Sweden's Minister of Justice.

Lawyers act in many functions and serve many clients. One situation has nothing to do with another.

[Bragi]

2. Yep, nothing to see here for sure

I'm going to assume you just forgot the jokey icon.

[pnwmom]

10. A high profile lawyer was drawn to a high profile case.

How unusual.

:sarcasm:

[treestar]

16. I wonder if it is equally suspicious that the unabomber/McVeigh

defender was called in for Jared Loughner.

[sabrina 1]

20. He's high profile because of his bizarre beliefs.

He has a theory which he would like to turn into law, eg, that all men are guilty of rape because as men, they must take responsibility for the members of their sex who abuse women. He believes the way to get them to pay for their 'collective guilt' is to institute a 'Man Tax'.

He also believes that women do not know when they have raped and even if they state, as the two women in this case have stated, that there 'was no rape', it doesn't count. Only the Government can make that decision, according to him.

He inserted himself into the case AFTER it was dismissed. I wonder how close he is to Karl Rove? Close, I'd be willing to bet. His little slimy press release had Rove written all over it.

[Matariki]

3. Because high profile political lawyers are always assigned to Sweden's "sex by surprise" cases.

Right. Sure. Not suspicious at all.

[pnwmom]

4. She hired him. He wasn't "assigned." n/t

[Matariki]

5. Which "she" - the one with the CIA ties?

[pnwmom]

8. More guilt-by-association, I see. She knew someone who knew someone . . . n/t

[Matariki]

23. In this case - hell yes guilt by association.

Someone that the powers that be wants out of the game? A woman with former CIA associations flirting and having sex with him and then claiming "sex by surprise" or whatever.

I can't even imagine how you wouldn't find that suspicious as hell.

[bluestate10]

46. That is the way it is.

As long as Assange does not embrace Michael Vick in public or on hidden video, he can do no wrong for some of the crowd on DU. Potential rapes? Not a problem, the women were rightwing adherents that tricked him into barebacking them without their approval, or even awareness. They wanted him, don't you understand? Sweden, one of the most ethical countries on the face of the earth will not provide Assange a fair investigation, and if charged, trial? No Sweden is being controlled by the corporatist United States, Sweden will flush its progress over a century right down a toilet to railroad Julian Assange. What happens if Assange embraces Michael Vick? Well, one of the dogs that Vick abused, it has to be one of them, will parachute out of a spy plane, rip the flesh right off Vick's right leg with it's powerful jaws, then commence filleting Vick, but please, please, don't let Julian get blood on him.

I am +10000000000000000000000000 cognizant that what I wrote makes not sense, guess I have taken lessons from Julian Assange worshipers.

[JoeyT]

14. The fact that you refer to rape as "Sex by surprise"

is more telling than anything in the OP.

If you don't have consent, it's rape, period.

[MattBaggins]

18. Delete

post was based on the words of the lawyer

[Matariki]

21. That's the ACTUAL charge. There is no rape charge.

Read up before you attack.

[Celebrandil]

31. Yes, there is a rape charge.

In Swedish law there are two degrees of rape, "våldtäkt" (-4 years in prison) and "grov våldtäkt" (2-6 years in prison), and Assange is accussed of the lesser degree. There is no such thing as "sex by surprise". It's a bit hard to directly translate "våldtäkt". Literally, it means "violent act". However, a "våldtäkt" doesn't necessarily mean that violence has to be used. In the law it is clearly stated that, if you take sexual advantage of a person who's intoxicated, asleep, etc... then it is to be considered a "våldtäkt". There are countries were a rape is defined as something that has to involve violence, but that's no longer the case in Sweden. The current law is quite recent. In line with what people in general would define as a "våldtäkt", the law was rewritten in 2005.

[Matariki]

32. Do you realize that there IS NO ACTUAL CHARGE?

He's wanted for questioning, supposedly. For something that the courts had previously dropped - until *something* changed. The timing with wikileaks and the renewed opening of the case to bring him back to Sweden for questioning are suspicious to say the least.

[Celebrandil]

33. You are right.

Maybe my understanding of the formal definitions of "being charged" in America isn't good enough. In Sweden we talk about different levels of suspicion. "Häktad" (what Assange is) is a court decision and requires a higher level of suspicion than "Anhållan" (wanted for questioning?), which is a prior decision by a prosecutor. However, when the prosecutor presents the case to court the charges have to be stated. The next level "Åtal" (charged?) occurs when the prosecutor believes he has a case to be brought to court, which hasn't happened in Assange's case.

[Matariki]

34. Are you Swedish? Do you live there?

[Celebrandil]

35. Yes, I am.

I'm an Obama and Wikileaks fan from Sweden. If Assange turns out to be guilty of rape, then I would be disappointed indeed. However, even if I've tried to find other explanations (revenge, CIA links, etc.), I haven't seen anything that seems to hold. Yes, the girls are feminists, but... who's not a feminist? The girls seem to have been interested in getting Assange tested for sexually transmitted diseases, without seeing that it would turn into something else.

[Matariki]

36. I was curious how this is all being portrayed in the Swedish media

And whether, in your opinion, the media there is fair and uncontrolled.

From what I've read, Sweden doesn't exactly have the best track record for actually prosecuting sex crimes - so does anyone there find it remarkable the length the government is going to to get Assange extradited? Especially in a case that was previously dropped by the prosecution for a lack of evidence?

Would you say it's typical to have Interpol involved in a case like this? If he were just some regular guy would Interpol be involved and would such a high profile, political lawyer (the one involved in the CIA renditions) be involved?

[Celebrandil]

47. The lawyer and sex crimes in Sweden

I would say that the media is rather fair and balanced (unlike Fox) when it comes to the coverage of the Assange case. The leaks created quite a bit of a stir though and the prosecutor came under pressure because of it. I think that since people in general are sympathetic towards the prosecution of sex crimes, as well as to Assange as a media figure, the coverage has been more balanced than would otherwise have been the case. I think that most people, me included, wants to know what really happened, so that the work of Wikileaks and others can continue without disturbances.

Personally, I dislike some of the characterizations I've seen of both Assange, the two girls and the Swedish legal system. The Swedish laws are quite similar to most other European countries. However, during the last couple of years, the problem of prosecuting sex crimes has been brought to light, policemen have been sent to courses and people have been urged to take allegations seriously. I wouldn't be surprised if the fact that the case was originally dropped, is a reflection of such ongoing changes. Some prosecutors are more likely than others to get the cases tried in court. We all know that in a historical perspective too few sex cases have been brought to court.

The decision of trying to get Assange extradited is taken by a prosecutor after been given an approval from a court, so the government or any other politicians are not really involved at all. It's true that one of the lawyers is a well known politician (former Minister of Justice), which is quite remarkable, but he's a kind of guy who, for some reason, pops up in many high-profile cases. Most people think it's good if politicians have a professional career outside politics and as far as I can tell Bodström has so far acted professionally, without trying to make politics out of it. Worth noting is that Bodström is currently living with his family in Boston, while taking a break from politics. I don't know whether things would have been different, if Assange wasn't such a well-known character. It's worth remembering that things have changed since last summer when everything started. Now everyone knows who Assange is.

[Matariki]

48. I appreciate this info, coming from someone in Sweden. It just adds to the suspicion though

The Swedish prosecutor, a former Minister of Justice, is currently LIVING in Boston?

Nothing at all suspicious here - and accusations that revisiting a case that was thrown out of court for lack of evidence is being reopened due to pressure from the US is just completely in left field :sarcasm:

[Matariki]

49. Former Ministers of Justice are routinely put on cases involving broken condoms.

Especially former Ministers of Justice who have defended CIA renditions, who are coincidently living abroad in BOSTON.

Sheesh. Anyone who pretends this is routine or coincidence either has an agenda or has their head in a place where light doesn't shine.

[Celebrandil]

53. It gets worse...

In Sweden Bodström is known for authoring the EU telecommunications data retention law. The pirates hate him for that, calling it an example of the big brother Bodströmsamhället (the Bodström society). By the way, cables from Wikileaks have shown that Sweden was pressured to introduced such laws by America, and was threatened with reduced trade privileges, if new laws weren't implemented. Worth noting is that the two girls and Bodström come from the same political party, the Social Democrats. However, it's unlikely that they share opinion on data retention. When it comes to controlling the web, there is a more liberal stream within the party, shared by younger people in particular, and the two girls seem to be part of this stream.

[Matariki]

54. Great info Celebrandil, interesting to hear a perspective from Sweden.

Thanks.

[reorg]

38. actually, the law doesn't differ from that in other countries with respect to the aspect of violence

What is different in the Swedish law is that you are not required to have actual intercourse to be found guilty of rape. With respect to the "violence" required, it is not the wording in the law, but perhaps the interpretation which makes the difference. The commentary says (based on case law, I guess) that pressing somebody's legs apart may be seen as violence, for instance, whereas in other jurisdictions they may look at this differently.

In Assange's case, however, no violence is alleged, it is because he allegedly approached his partner while she was half asleep. If you are exploiting the fact that someone is unconscious to overcome their unwillingness to have sex with you, then you are guilty of rape in Sweden - but again, that's exactly the way it is pretty much everywhere else.

[Ghost in the Machine]

30. You're not familiar with this case at all, are you??

No need to answer, your post already answered the question. Please educate yourself on the facts of this case before you comment again.... unless you just enjoy making yourself look ignorant.

Thanks

[walldude]

51. Do you know anything about the charges? Apparently not..

The sex was consensual. Matter of fact both women bragged about the encounter on Twitter. The charge is that in the first incident the condom broke and in the second he refused to wear a condom. She still consented after his refusal. And you are saying he is a rapist.

Are you saying that having your condom break is rape? Or are you saying that refusing to wear a condom and having the woman agree to have sex anyway is also rape?



You people in your pathetic attempt to paint Assange as a traitor might do well to stick to the facts. Because you just look like another uninformed political hack.

[bemildred]

6. Just following orders, not doubt.

:puke:

[davidthegnome]

7. Certainly smells fishy to me

K&R

[Poboy]

9. Recommend

[Swamp Rat]

11. k&r

[Kurovski]

12. K&R

I was thinking "vaaary eeenteresting" , and there it was down post.

[hootinholler]

13. Why do the accusers need lawyers?

Seriously, does a victim hire a lawyer to prosecute?

-Hoot

[TorchTheWitch]

27. to protect her interests, why else?

Prosecutors aren't the lawyers for the victims, they're the lawyers for the state. The interests of the state aren't ever entirely with the interests of the victim. Particularly in high profile cases it's a good idea to hire your own personal lawyer whose job it is to protect YOUR interests that may or may not be the interests of the state.

[MattBaggins]

15. The "it's OK because now it's Obama" crowd is right on cue.

[treestar]

17. Irrelevant. The evidence in the case is what matters.

That stays the same no matter who the lawyers are.

[Desertrose]

22. You really believe that?

The lawyer is irrelevant? Isn't that thinking a bit naive?

[treestar]

24. What evidence is there that the Swedish system is corrupt?

Do you think you can just buy off the best lawyer to get away with crimes?

A lawyer argues the case for his client. It's not supposed to be a matter of personal influence.

Are you one of those who hates lawyers who represent people charged with heinous crimes? A lawyer should not take a case personally or be personally blamed for what a client has done.

[Desertrose]

25. Is there evidence that prove any government is NOT corrupt?

Seriously, anymore, are you telling me you believe everything reported in the news is accurate?


Do you think you can just buy off the best lawyer to get away with crimes?

Yes. don't you?


A lawyer argues the case for his client. It's not supposed to be a matter of personal influence.

Well, a lot of things that aren't "supposed to be" actually are.


Are you one of those who hates lawyers who represent people charged with heinous crimes? A lawyer should not take a case personally or be personally blamed for what a client has done.

No, I don't "hate" lawyers for doing their jobs. Why would I blame the lawyer for what the client has done. I simply don't believe that everything we see is the whole story. I have no doubt there is a lot of behind the scenes wheeling & dealing bullshit and that in certain high profile or very important cases the outcomes are decided by more than just the facts.

[treestar]

39. That's pretty cynical

The jury system we have works pretty well though

I don't know what the Swedes have.

But the evidence matters more than just who the lawyer is. That system should not allow any lawyer to argue that the opposition's lawyer's previous associations mean that the defendant is not guilty. If it does, shame on Sweden.

[Desertrose]

41. Yes...it is...with good reason.

The jury system we have works pretty well though

Maybe for some but certainly not for everyone.


But the evidence matters more than just who the lawyer is. That system should not allow any lawyer to argue that the opposition's lawyer's previous associations mean that the defendant is not guilty. If it does, shame on Sweden.


Are you seriously that naive?

[treestar]

45. Er, prove that in Sweden one is allowed to argue one's innocence

by casting asparagus at the associations of one's oppositions lawyer. :rofl: :rofl:

[EFerrari]

29. They coorperated with an illegal torture program in secret. What more do you need?

[treestar]

40. Who?

If they have not been disbarred and know Swedish law, that's it. No one gets to argue any case in court here at least by saying "opposing counsel has evil connections, therefore our client is right." It's not even logical. I don't know about Sweden, but I never got the idea is was anything but a free Western nation.

[EFerrari]

43. The Swedish government and this gentleman in particular.

You asked for evidence of corruption. There it is.

[treestar]

44. It's corrupt to have "links to the CIA?"

Is everyone who works for the CIA or represents it as a lawyer "corrupt" by definition?

[fascisthunter]

19. How'd I Miss This????!!!!!

kick

[xchrom]

26. interesting. nt

[PBS Poll-435]

28. Surprise! nt

[fascisthunter]

37. Step right Up and take a Big Bite of Crow!!!!

[cbc5g]

42. Not surprising to see the CIA's grimey hands up in this

[Name removed]

50. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Forkboy]

52. The people who see this as an innocent connection crack me up.

P.T. Barnum was correct.

[tekisui]

55. None are so blind as those who refuse to see.