MP may be tried as traitor (Galloway)

The Observer (U.K.) ^ | 04/27/03 | Antony Barnett and Martin Bright

[RightOnTheLeftCoast]

"This latest twist comes as The Observer reveals details of a secret trip Galloway made to Morocco for the British-based Saudi dissident Saad al-Fagih, an Islamic fundamentalist who purchased a satellite phone used by al-Qaeda in Afghanistan. "

Now isn't that interesting.

[Tamzee]

Oh my... just keeps getting worse for Galloway, doesn't it? :-)

[fightinJAG]

Human rights lawyers said last night it would be an extremely difficult case to pursue. Roger Bingham of the civil rights group Liberty said: 'Galloway's statement is an expression of opinion. We live in a free-speech, democratic society and elect MPs to speak out on national issues.'

Oh, puh-leeze. Where did these "lawyers" get their licenses---Wal-Mart?

Not all speech is "free" or created equal.

[EternalVigilance]

And this is totally apart from the funds he obviously received from the Butcher of Baghdad.

[pbear8]

Can a treason statue come into play here? The incitement charge doesn't seem strong enough.

[fightinJAG]

This proposal to prosecute is part of an ever-expanding witch-hunt against George Galloway because he was the most vocal anti-war voice.'

Perhaps M. Galloway may appear nude on the cover of the Economist with words of treachery stenciled on his pasty skin.

Then he can get the Vichy Chix to hold benefit concerts for his legal defense fund.

[adam_az]

He should change his name to Gaulloway, pun intended.

[M Kehoe]

Keeps getting better and better.

5.56mm

[John Beresford Tipton]

Can ye say "Lord Haw-Haw"?
There, I ken ye could.

[lilylangtree]

Dig a hole, Georgie. BTW, the US could try a few people for treason too.

[John Beresford Tipton]

FYI-
Going Down!

[Savage Beast]

'I hope to have chiselled on my gravestone: "He incited them to disaffect."'

It likely will be.

[Cicero]

I remember very clearly back in the old days before the Admin Moderators could remove offensive remarks, two of the most fundamental rules in FreeRepublic were: Don't advocate the death of a president or other politician, even as a joke; and 2) don't incite the military to disobey orders.

Some Freepers carelessly made such jokes about clinton, and a few found the Secret Service or the FBI calling on them.

The Brits have much stricter laws on these matters than we do. I should think there might be some chance of convicting Galloway, especially since it appears that he was paid by the enemy to make these kinds of statements. That might be enough to tip the balance for a jury.

[Rebelbase]

After the guilty verdict, hang him in the Tower.

[blastdad51]

'I hope to have chiselled on my gravestone: "He incited them to disaffect."'


Be carefull what you ask for, the Lord may give it to you

[the Deejay]

'If any person maliciously and advisedly endeavours to seduce any member of His Majesty's forces from his duty or allegiance to His Majesty, he shall be guilty of an offence.' Under the terms of the Act, the word 'maliciously' means wilfully and intentionally.

hehehehehe. (One on the way down and others will follow. This makes my day.)

[Servant of the Nine]

Oh, puh-leeze. Where did these "lawyers" get their licenses---Wal-Mart?
Not all speech is "free" or created equal.

There is no First Amendment in Britain.
There is not even a prohibition of Ex Post Facto Laws.

Parliment could pass a new law against something he did, and then try him for breaking the law that wasn't even in existance at the time he commited the act.

He's Toast.

So9

[Steve Eisenberg]

The maximum penalty is two years in jail.

Boy. They really take treason seriously, don't they?

Actually, I would not believe any anonymously sourced article in the Guardian, especially for the Sunday front page. More likely, there is some law against a MP being in the pay of a foreign power, and they'll nail him on that. Hopefully sentencing can take into account that the UK was at war with said foreign power (which has been true for the past 12 years due to no fly zone defense).

[wardaddy]

It's Tyburn Tree Time!!!