Kevin Gosztola Profile picture
Sep 22, 2020 60 tweets 20 min read Read on X
The eleventh day of proceedings in the trial portion of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange's extradition hearing will begin shortly. I'll have live updates today. #AssangeTrial
Professor Michael Kopelman, who is a forensic psychiatrist, will give evidence on Assange's clinical depression, risk of suicide, and how he the US government is targeting him for his political opinions. #AssangeTrial
Yesterday, in my written report, I paid attention to fixer who is closely tied to Donald Trump Jr. who threatened a political activist after she visited Assange to inform him that the Trump administration planned to expel and arrest him.
shadowproof.com/2020/09/21/tru… #AssangeTrial
Housekeeping note: I compiled guide to journalists and advocacy organizations. Collectively, we have spent the last two weeks breaking the establishment media's blackout by providing daily coverage on #AssangeCase. shadowproof.com/2020/09/21/gui…
Professor Michael Kopelman is present at the courthouse to testify as a witness. He is expected to testify for at least 3-4 hours. #AssangeTrial
Edward Fitzgerald, defense attorney, invites the press to "use some sensitivity" when reporting on medical issues that must be covered #AssangeTrial
Kopelman: high risk of suicide should extradition become imminent. The risk emerges from Assange's psychiatric disorder. #AssangeTrial
Fitzgerald recounts how Assange's condition was severe in December 2019 and then moderately severe in Feb/March 2020. Then it grew more severe (again) during lockdown under COVID-19. #AssangeTrial
Kopelman notes Assange's increased depression in Ecuador embassy in London, especially starting in 2015-2016 #AssangeTrial
Assange is reluctant to "volunteer" statements to prison medical staff on his health #AssangeTrial
Kopelman says Assange has reported hearing music hallucinations that have become worse while depressed. He also experiences auditory hallucinations, like voices. #AssangeTrial
Kopelman indicates can't make a "mathematical prediction" on suicide risk. "All we can do is note there are abundance of known risk factors in Mr. Assange's case." #AssangeTrial
Kopelman provided testimony related to what Assange would endure if incarcerated in single-cell in US prison and subject to conditions that amount to solitary confinement. It would compound his deterioration. #AssangeTrial
Prosecutor James Lewis is trying to quiz Professor Kopelman on ICD-10 criteria as they are used to help healthcare providers identify depression and Kopelman refuses to close his book, believing it's an unreasonable request. #AssangeTrial
Kopelman: "I've never said that Mr. Assange has delusions" #AssangeTrial
Lewis claims he is establishing yardstick for measuring what he will cross-exam Kopelman on related to Assange. Kopelman adds Assange has "great difficulty in concentrating and memorizing and his lawyers have found this." Particularly evident 2nd half of 2019 #AssangeTrial
Lewis is testing Kopelman on what articles he remembers reading on malingering and exaggeration of psychiatric conditions. Anything he can recall off the top of his head, which Kopelman clearly finds ridiculous. #AssangeTrial
Baraitser pauses the cross-exam to suggest to Kopelman that Lewis is trying to establish a base level of what information the professor has in mind when he examines Assange. Lewis replies that's exactly right. #AssangeTrial
Kopelman: "Yes, I try to evaluate whether Mr. Assange was exaggerating or malingering by..."

Lewis cuts him off. "I wonder if we could just stick with my script for a moment." #AssangeTrial
I remind everyone that yesterday Judge Baraitser spent a good amount of time complaining about how the defense was prolonging proceedings and needed to get its act together when it came to scheduling witnesses. #AssangeTrial
Lewis questions Kopelman on how he assessed Assange or factored in the alleged concealing of a razor blade a month after he arrived at Belmarsh. #AssangeTrial
Apparently, Assange told Kopelman he was charged with having a "hidden razor" and put in solitary confinement for 4 days. The prosecution disputes whether Assange ever had a razor that could hurt him. (Perhaps, defense will address in re-exam.) #AssangeTrial
We are in middle of 10-minute break, as Kopelman is standing in witness box for duration of this 3-4 hour cross-exam by prosecutor. #AssangeTrial
Court heard evidence that Assange has made specific end-of-life plans—drafting farewell letters to family and friends, drawn up a will, confession to Catholic priest. #AssangeTrial
Lewis suggests Assange is reading British Medical Journal so he can finesse and improve his ability to exaggerate psychiatric symptoms, and in fact, he is consulting with his attorneys on how to do effectively. Pure conjecture. #AssangeTrial
Kopelman answers that Assange reads British Medical Journal "because he's very preoccupied by his state of health." He's a "little bit hypochondriacal." It is like him to want to discuss with legal team before doing anything. #AssangeTrial
April 29, 2019: Kopelman is told by Assange he had "near death experience." He wonders if CIA is finding way to get him, which was noted as possible paranoia. Concerned about case being "strong enough to fight hundreds of lawyers the US had fighting against him." #AssangeTrial
Lewis is going through individual days, picking apart summaries by Kopelman, and nitpicking over details that Kopelman left out of his report submitted to the court. And Kopelman notes he didn't actually have first meeting with him until May #AssangeTrial
Lewis questions note to give Assange more orange (juice?) in entry in May 2019 & whether weight loss is depression symptom.

Kopelman insists quite significant weight loss is factor. "So they will give him anything that's going to help in boosting his daily intake." #AssangeTrial
Kopelman did not meet with Assange for the first time until May 30, 2019. Yet, Lewis has asked Kopelman about entries in April and May before he ever met Assange in person. #AssangeTrial
Lewis is openly and repeatedly trying to pressure Kopelman into changing his diagnosis of Assange's mental health condition #AssangeTrial
Kopelman: "I don’t believe he’s got delusions. He's very worried about whether discussions are recorded." Computers should be switched off.

"In light of experiences in embassy, that was rational anxiety." #AssangeTrial
Lewis contends only medical diagnosis of depression is from Professor Paul Mullen in 1995 in Australia. #AssangeTrial
Lewis explicitly asked Kopelman to describe the audible hallucinations. He again says they're derogatory and persecutory. For example, "You're worthless," or, "You're dead." #AssangeTrial
We're on lunch break. Kopelman will return in the afternoon so Lewis can finish. Then defense will re-exam. This is the only witness for the day. #AssangeTrial
Lewis emphasizes the auditory hallucinations were "self-reports."

Kopelman replies that is "nature of psychiatry. There's no MRI scanner that will shoe you a hallucination." #AssangeTrial
Kopelman submitted two statements. First one did not mention Stella Morris, his partner, because relationship was not public. Lewis objects and asserts he was deceiving the court. #AssangeTrial
Re: revealing Stella Morris' relationship with Assange

Lewis: "First duty is to court, and it doesn't matter if embarrassing or confidential"

Kopelman: "She was very concerned about privacy, and I was trying to respect that." #AssangeTrial
Lewis calls report from UN Special Rapporteur on Torture Nils Melzer neither balanced or accurate. Reads from it. Kopelman says he didn't rely on it to make a psychiatric diagnosis. It's a "political document." #AssangeTrial
US prosecutor James Lewis describes UN Special Rapporteur on Torture Nils Melzer's assessment of Assange as "palpable nonsense." #AssangeTrial
Lewis insists on reading further from this report from Melzer, even though Kopelman hasn't used any of the political sections. Kopelman objects. He merely referenced bits on physical or mental health. Reading what he specifically included #AssangeTrial
Lewis believes Assange is able to follow the court proceedings and give instructions to his legal team, and to him, that is "inconsistent" with someone who has moderate or severe depression. #AssangeTrial
Kopelman: "I cannot evaluate his mental and cognitive state from what’s in here. He’s made a few comments, some longstanding semantic knowledge that he’s replied appropriately. That doesn’t mean cognitive state is normal." #AssangeTrial
Lewis objects to Kopelman relying on defense experts' statements on US prison conditions, but prosecution did not provide Assistant US Attorney Gordon Kromberg's affidavits. Somehow, supposed to know to request. Not provided voluntarily til after he did his reports #AssangeTrial
Lewis: "LikiWeaks" #AssangeTrial
Somehow becomes even more petty than in prior hours, as Lewis asks if depression prevented Assange from soliciting or leaking materials from US government, public speaking, coordinating with media, or prevent from doing a "chat show" on RT. #AssangeTrial
The psychiatrist at Belmarsh prison has not come to the same conclusion on Assange's psychiatric health as Kopelman.

Kopelman says that is likely because Assange doesn't have a "good relationship" with the doctor #AssangeTrial
One more break and then Lewis will conclude his cross-exam. We'll have Fitzgerald re-exam Kopelman and then finish for the day. #AssangeTrial
Defense is trying to re-exam Kopelman about the "concealed" razor. Lewis interrupts and says he isn't disputing a razor was found in Assange's possession. Kopelman adds, "That's not what I inferred this morning." #AssangeTrial
Fitzgerald: Opinions dependent on assumptions about US prison conditions?

Kopelman: Not really. That did not enter as a factor #AssangeTrial
Kopelman: If extradition became imminent or were to happen, that would be the trigger to a suicide attempt #AssangeTrial
Kopelman agreed if detained in conditions of isolation for long period the risk of suicide would be exacerbated.

"Isolation he would experience in North America would be far worse than anything experienced in embassy or Belmarsh." #AssangeTrial
Kopelman referred to prior case where US govt assured him, like Kromberg has done, about prison conditions at Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York. And then, he added, Jeffrey Epstein hanged himself.

"Just showed reassurances were not very reassuring." #AssangeTrial
According to Kopelman, Chelsea Manning's attempted suicide in Alexandria Detention Center, where Assange would be held, concerned him a lot. #AssangeTrial
Re: Chelsea Manning's attempted suicide in ADC

Kopelman said Assange noted she was getting bail and attempted suicide before her potential release. "It just shows how awful conditions must be." #AssangeTrial
We're wrapping up for the day, dealing with scheduling.

Defense says there are 14 witnesses for next week. Three the defense could do without, but three prosecutors now say they must question. #AssangeTrial
Both defense, as well as prosecution, oppose releasing the report prepared by Kopelman for the court record on Assange's mental health. There is a press request for a copy. Neither party plans to disclose. #AssangeHearing
Fitzgerald: "Nobody can say haven't had a full disclosure of medical issues." #AssangeTrial
We are adjourned for the day, and I will do a live video report on Day 11: #AssangeTrial
US prosecution accused WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange of exaggerating symptoms of depression and pressured psychiatrist to change their diagnosis of Assange's mental health condition shadowproof.com/2020/09/22/us-… #AssangeTrial

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More from @kgosztola

Feb 20
Today is Day 1 of extradition appeal hearing for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange at the British High Court of Justice.

His legal team has requested that the court grant Assange a full appeal hearing.

Thread with articles on what Assange's team considers grounds for appeal.
The CIA allegedly plotted to kidnap, poison, or kill Assange. To extradite Assange would undermine his right to life & right to be free from “torture or inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment” under European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
thedissenter.org/countdown-day-…
Since the Espionage Act has never been used by US to prosecute a publisher, Assange's attorneys argue extradition is barred. Publishing info was not a “criminal offense under national or international law at the time when it was committed.”
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Read 12 tweets
Jun 22, 2023
The media delusion that Daniel Ellsberg blew the whistle 'the right way' thedissenter.org/media-delusion…
Video version that includes the clip of David Brooks and Jonathan Capehart erroneously arguing that what Ellsberg did was somehow different from Snowden's whistleblowing. Or that Ellsberg did it the "right way."
Incredibly, while contending that Snowden was an egomaniac, Brooks and Capehart spend the part of the show that is supposed to be a tribute to Daniel Ellsberg focusing on themselves. They make it about their views on Snowden—views they know Ellsberg absolutely didn't share.
Read 6 tweets
Dec 31, 2022
Not only was 2022 yet another year with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange in prison, but it also was another year in which Committee to Protect Journalists (@pressfreedom) refused to include Assange in their annual jailed journalists index
The United Kingdom, which has kept Assange in Belmarsh prison for over 3.5 years at the behest of the US government, should be light red on this map - just like Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Philippines, Turkmenistan, etc. But CPJ’s leadership can’t bring their organization to do that
The Committee to Protect Journalists’ own methodology suggests Assange qualifies, and should have qualified long ago.

Assange frequently commented on “public affairs” for print, radio, TV, and online.

So why doesn’t CPJ include Assange in their index?
Read 7 tweets
Dec 25, 2022
Bah humbug from @SouthwestAir to far too many passengers flying their airline.

This is Midway airport in Chicago, where families with crying children had to deal with the fact that they were lied to by this airline. Because their flights were never going to leave Chicago. ImageImageImage
I was booked on an 8:10 PM flight to Denver to visit family for Christmas. The plane was there at the gate, but @SouthwestAir had no pilot. They must’ve known, yet they waited til 15 min before boarding time to cancel the flight.
Apparently, @SouthwestAir is in the middle of major crisis in Denver. They are dealing with a staff shortage that’s so bad that at least one flight from Tampa was turned around and sent back to where it took off.

How many flights to Denver were canceled today due to this crisis? Image
Read 17 tweets
Nov 16, 2022
US Senate investigation confirmed that dozens of women at the Irwin County Detention Center were medically abused by a single ICE doctor, who was hired even though the Justice Department and state of Georgia had sued him thedissenter.org/senate-investi…
Here is Karina Cisneros Preciado at the Senate permanent subcommittee hearing on ICE's medical mistreatment of women. She courageously shared her incarceration story, including when OB-GYN contracted by ICE subjected her to treatment without her consent.
Sen. Ossoff grilled the ICE official who is in charge of oversight for doctors contracted by the agency. His negligence allowed Dr. Mahendra Amin to treat and abuse dozens if not hundreds of women who were in ICE custody at Irwin County Detention Center between 2017-2020.
Read 6 tweets
Oct 8, 2022
Rallies in Denver, Minneapolis, Seattle, Tulsa, San Francisco Bay Area, & Washington DC, to support Stella Assange & supporters who formed human chain around UK Parliament to free Assange.

All part of global day of action that has been underway. I'm speaking at the DC rally.
LIVE: Hands Off Assange rally in DC at 12pm ET

thedissenter.org/livestream-han…
DC Free Assange rally at DOJ about to begin
Read 10 tweets

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