Thread by @MaryKostakidis

Extradition September hearing Day 17 (19 incl 2 Covid),
expected to be the final day.

Joined the video link waiting to cross to the court room.

Today we expect to hear an update on the Spanish surveillance case and summaries of the remaining witness statements.

I’ll provide as much information as I can on this thread.

Looking forward to providing a wrap of the hearings to @PhillipAdams_1 during the court lunch break

abc.net.au/radionational/…

My sound frozen..

Rejoined to find there is a break...

Seems there were some interesting announcements while my sound & picture were frozen:

The transcripts will not be released because the request came from one Ozzie journo listening remotely, not the Press Association.

An announcement also was made regarding the planned Defence submission on the 2nd superseding indictment - there are no new charges, but new allegations associated with the computer intrusion charge, the effect of which is to augment the current 5 yr penalty for that charge.

Court break till 2pm. All statements expected to be dealt with after lunch, plus update on Spanish case.

Lewis is objecting to 2 new statements.. and Summers says they need another half an hour......... another break.

Court break was extended... but due back in a few minutes

Summers: statement of Emeritus Prof of Law, criminal defence attorney Michael Tigar, former journalist who worked on Watergate at Washington post:
On Significance of Espionage Act charges, journalism in the digital age, protection of sources, soliciting anonymous...

...leaks, citing among other MSM Australia’s ABC,
on the importance of investigative work, on the importance of the WL docs, the use of the docs in delivering social justice, on Ellsberg’s case dropped due to illegal behaviour of CIA - they apparently tried to bribe the judge by

.. offering the judge a senior Intel job.....

Whoa. Disruption to Twitter in Australia...

Meantime Statement of Gareth Peirce
re unlawful intrusion in privileged material, confiscation of privileged material from the Embassy and the obstacles to preparing the complex defence

Gareth Peirce cont:
Lots of attachments showing how info from WL docs has been used, arguments regarding the political motivation, abuse of power & fears for what lies ahead.
Fitzgerald says the latter 3 issues he will address in signal summary.

Spanish update:
Summers reminds judge that there may be findings she needs to be aware of & forwards a statement from JA’s Spanish lawyer with timetable.

Further statement from Gareth Peirce:

Full transcript of JA Frontline Club speech introduced by Prosecution during Deeley cross examination & statements made by Barr in the last couple of weeks that she’d light on relationship by the US Executive & Prosecutors & the ..

..power of one over the other.

However, Lewis objects to the full transcript of Frontline Club

..as having no purpose & against the rules, also that he has not has access to it & it’s too late to introduce it.
Objecting to inclusion of Barr comments because it can’t be tested so can’t be included.
Summers saying the Video clip from Frontline Club was introduced in ..

..cross examination to the witness without notice.

Judge: reading an adjudication- no, on both counts.

Fitzgerald pointing out that he did indeed say if something dramatic was said by politicians it may have to be included as evidence before a decision was handed down.
Judge points out she doesn’t consider Barr’s comments dramatic.
Another break to try to resolve another disagr’t

Fitzgerald seeking to correct a remark the Prosecution made about one of the psychologists being at the early stages of her career - she is senior.

Judge knocks back another witness statement as the two sides have not agreed, that of Daniel Gurdalla regarding a cell search at

..Belmarsh.

Summers: seeking a ruling to submit evidence on the new indictment but Defence needs evidence from Prosecution regarding the new allegations, otherwise Defence will seek an adjournment.

Lewis disagrees.

Judge: refuses because she gave Defence opportunity to seek adjournment which they knocked back.

Decision will be delivered on 4 January.

Judge tells JA there will be another admin hearing on 29 Oct.

Ends hearings

Thank you everyone for all the feedback and your commitment.

Next stop, the written final Defence and Prosecution summaries.

See you soon 🖐🏼