Indymedia Seizures Initiated In Europe

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.'"

Comments

Re:Just like Echelon . . .

[rossz]

I see you completely ignored the fact that officials from France, Germany, and Russia were taking massive bribes so that Saddam could get around the U.N. imposed sanctions. Of course they were against the U.S. actually enforcing the U.N. resolutions. It derailed their gravy train.

<RANT>
The U.S. tossed out of the U.N.? Fuck that. How about we toss the U.N. out of New York?

Why don't we do exactly what Europe is demanding and stop "interferring" with other countries. That means we yank our troops out of Europe. That means we dump all the subsidies and loans - which measure in tens of billions. That means Europe and the rest of the world have to actually defend their own damn country instead of using the money for failed social programs. Sounds good to me.

There is not a single country in Europe that can field an army sufficient to defend itself (the UK isn't in Europe so our British friends can hold off yelling at me). You castrated your armies because you knew the U.S. would help you if necessary. As thanks, most of Europe stuck a knife in our back.

If I didn't believe most Europeans are basically good and don't hate us, unlike their political leaders, I would wish another European war on them. Those ancient hatreds are still there, just hidden. One day they will errupt like an infected boil. Then you'll want us to drag our asses back over there to fix things again. And you know what? We'll do it. Because despite how you have treated us, we will still do the right thing.

You people make me sick.
</RANT>