Italian journalist Stefania Maurizi spoke about her investigations into the Julian Assange case in her new book Secret Power at the Foreign Press Association in London on Monday.
Secret Power: WikiLeaks and its Enemies is published by Pluto Press. Video for Consortium News by Orlando Harrison.
From the publisher:
It is 2008, and Stefania Maurizi, an investigative journalist with a growing interest in cryptography, starts looking into the little-known organisation WikiLeaks. Through hushed meetings, encrypted files and explosive documents, what she discovers sets her on a life-long journey that takes her deep into the realm of secret power.
Working closely with WikiLeaks‘ founder Julian Assange and his organisation for her newspaper, Maurizi has spent over a decade investigating state criminality protected by thick layers of secrecy, while also embarking on a solitary trench warfare to unearth the facts underpinning the cruel persecution of Assange and WikiLeaks.
With complex and disturbing insights, Maurizi’s tireless journalism exposes atrocities, the shameful treatment of Chelsea Manning and Edward Snowden, on up to the present persecution of WikiLeaks: a terrifying web of impunity and cover-ups.
I am just coming to the end of Ms. Maurizis’ book, and can wholeheartedly and eagerly recommend it. It is essential reading regarding this case. Incidentally, I have read Nils Melzers’ book as well, which I also recommend.
For those hoping that the recently elected Labor Government headed by Anthony Albanese would intervene on Julian’s behalf there is little to report.
Albanese still adheres to his entrenched line that “quiet diplomacy” is his preferred method, consequently he remains tight lipped even to the extent that he refuses to answer questions regarding whether or not he has spoken of Julian’s case with Biden.
Interestingly, Albanese has taken a different tack with other Australians held in foreign jails.
Albanese has made public that he has spoken with President Xi concerning the detention of Cheng Lei and Yang Hengjun.
In 2020, Beijing has accused Ms Cheng of providing state secrets to a foreign country. Yang, a scholar and novelist, has also been tried for espionage.
Another case where the Australian government was public in its lobbying was Sean Turnell – a former adviser to Aung San Suu Kyi – arrested following military coup in Myanmar last year was released earlier this month.
Just like Julian, Cheng, Yang and Turnell are/were political prisoners held on bogus charges.
….. which means that he (Albanese) isn’t going to do one single thing to help Assange. Nothing! Except mumble a few words about a non-existent form of diplomacy. Penny Wong won’t do anything either.
They are far too afraid of upsetting Australia’s US puppet-masters.