Thread by @jamesdoleman

Back at London's Central Criminal Court for day 7 of evidence in the Julian #Assange extradition case,

Proceedings commence
First witness is to be New Zealand journalist Nicky Hager.

Hager tells the court he was a user of WikiLeaks data in his work as an investigative journalist.
#Assange

Hager says journalist's covering the wars need confidential sources, "we need classified information to inform the public."

Hager says that the WikiLeaks information allowed him to write about the "multi-layered nature," of the Afghan war
#Assange

Hager says the war logs leaked by Wikileaks were "the most important material I have ever used in my life."

Hager says the impact of "collateral murder video," was similar to the impact of the video of the death of George Floyd, "it galvanised the world." And led to real changes in the policies of the US military
#Assange

Hagar says that when he worked with Wikileaks he was amazed to see the level of care they were taking to redact information that might harm people, describes seeing: "People working in silence for hours and hours,"
#Assange

Hager on #Assange "Thoughtful, humourous and energetic, very different from the portrait painted in the media of this difficult man, he has dedicated himself to changing the world."

John Lewis QC rises to cross-examine Mr Hagar.

Lewis asks the witness if he understands "the essence of the offence Mr Assange has been charged with."
He replies "It seems to be a mish mash of charges."
#Assange

Lewis, "Mr Assange has not been charged with publishing any of the documents you relied on for your work."

Lewis to Hagar, "Have you ever conspired with someone to hack into a government computer,"

He replies it depends on what you mean.

Hager says journalists do not just sit passively and wait for information, "we talk to our sources, we seek out out sources, these are not just anonymous people we have to protect them."

Hagar says "however," Lewis says "you've answered the question, now I ask the next question."

Lewis reads out a Guardian article from 2011 condemning wikileaks for releasing unredacted US government cables.
Hagar said that information had already come out in other places.

Lewis quotes David Leigh's (A Guardian journalist) book Hager says "There was bitter animosity between David Leigh and Assange at the time, so I would take anything he said with a pinch of salt."

Lewis showing the witness the report of the enquiry into allegations Hagar made about the conduct of the New Zealand SAS in Afghanistan "Isn't it true your allegations were rejected?" he asks
"That's hilarious" he replies, adding that this refers only to a "minor footnote"

Hagar "We didn't get everything right, it was a difficult investigation, but we got most of it right."

Hagar asked if he was asked to add the Iraqi rules of engagement section of his witness statement by the defence.
He replies yes, but adds "I was happy to do so."
Mr Lewis thanks the witness and sits down, the cross examination ends.

Hagar says that when he worked with Wikileaks they were diligent about making sure no-one could come to harm by their publications, adding "I don't believe that Julian Assange and others suddenly changed their minds, I think information got out when it shouldn't."

On re-examination Hagar says that given the animosity between David Leigh and Assange, "If I was writing a book [on wikileaks] I wouldn't use what he said as a source.

Court adjourns for 5 minutes.
#Assange

Court awaiting a translator for the next witness so looks like we will be pausing for half an hour or so.
#Assange