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Indymedia Seizures Initiated In Europe

Posted by timothy on from the fbi-just-along-for-the-ride dept.

daveschroeder writes "According to this Indymedia.org article and AFP report, the request to seize Indymedia servers hosted by a U.S. company in the UK (covered in this previous slashdot story) originated from government agencies in Italy and Switzerland, not the United States. Because Indymedia's hosting company, Rackspace.com, is a U.S. company, the FBI coordinated the request and accompanied UK Metropolitan Police on the seizure under the auspices of the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT), an international legal treaty, but, according to an FBI spokesman, 'It is not an FBI operation. Through [MLAT], the subpoena was on behalf of a third country.'" Read on below for more.

daveschroeder continues: "Rackspace's statement reads, 'In the present matter regarding Indymedia, Rackspace Managed Hosting, a U.S. based company with offices in London, is acting in compliance with a court order pursuant to a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT), which establishes procedures for countries to assist each other in investigations such as international terrorism, kidnapping and money laundering. Rackspace responded to a Commissioner's subpoena, duly issued under Title 28, United States Code, Section 1782 in an investigation that did not arise in the United States. Rackspace is acting as a good corporate citizen and is cooperating with international law enforcement authorities. The court prohibits Rackspace from commenting further on this matter.'"

3 of 563 comments (clear)

  1. Oh no! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Europe's not perfect! The United States isn't always the bad guy! Panic erupts on Slashdot.

  2. Re:Just like Echelon . . . by Waffle+Iron · · Score: 3, Funny

    Furthermore, Echelon begins with an 'E', while MLAT begins with an 'M'. Obviously, they have no similarities whatsoever.

  3. Re:Cry wolf by Pig+Hogger · · Score: 3, Funny
    The American asked how the KGB agent had left and gone unnoticed for two whole years. The agent responded, "The day I left there was a car accident and my car was burned up with bodies inside. When you work for the KGB it isn't difficult to get ahold of bodies."
    What's amazing is that the russian was allowed to have a car in the first place...