|
Comment on this article |
View comments |
Email this Feature
|
|
News :: Civil & Human Rights |
|
FBI seizes Global Indymedia Servers. Reasons Unknown. Background Info: |
Current rating: 0 |
by Sascha Meinrath
Email: sascha (nospam) ucimc.org (unverified!) |
07 Oct 2004
Modified: 08 Oct 2004 |
FBI took the hard drives of Global IMC servers in the USA and the UK. It appears that a court order was issued to Rackspace (Indymedia's service provider with offices in the US and in London) to physically remove the hard drives from Global Indymedia servers (backup servers are now in place). Rackspace was given no time to defend against the order before it was acted upon and turned over the hard drives, both in the US and the UK. The servers hosted numerous local IMCs and the reason for the seizure is not known.
The FBI's latest anti-free-press actions began at the beginning of October when they visited Indymedia's ISP demanding the removal of identifying information from photographs of undercover police officers that was posted on the Nantes Indymedia website. When asked what the US government was doing requesting the removal of information from a French-run website that contained information about Swiss police actions, the FBI stated that this was a "courtesy" to the Swiss government. The FBI agents stated that no laws had been broken, and no crimes had been committed. However, because no identifying information was posted on the website in question, it was unclear what actions the FBI was requesting. |
FBI took the hard drives of Global IMC servers in the USA and the UK. It appears that a court order was issued to Rackspace (Indymedia's service provider with offices in the US and in London) to physically remove the hard drives from Global Indymedia servers (backup servers are now in place). Rackspace was given no time to defend against the order before it was acted upon and turned over the hard drives, both in the US and the UK. The servers hosted numerous local IMCs and the reason for the seizure is not known.
The FBI's latest anti-free-press actions began at the beginning of October when they visited Indymedia's ISP demanding the removal of identifying information from photographs of undercover police officers that was posted on the Nantes Indymedia website. When asked what the US government was doing requesting the removal of information from a French-run website that contained information about Swiss police actions, the FBI stated that this was a "courtesy" to the Swiss government. The FBI agents stated that no laws had been broken, and no crimes had been committed. However, because no identifying information was posted on the website in question, it was unclear what actions the FBI was requesting.
The article in question is/was posted here:
http://nantes.indymedia.org/article.php3?id_article=3910
On Tuesday October 5th, Indymedia received the following message from Rackspace:
"I apologize for the delay in responding. I have been trying to get a hold of the FBI agent I spoke with before, but haven't been able to at this time. As the request originated with the Swiss police, I can only speculate on what they saw or what they were concerned about. However, at this time, I have received no further communications from either the FBI or the Swiss authorities, so I feel like we can close this this issue."
Today the FBI seized Global Indymedia servers; however it is unclear if this is related to the Nantes issue or is a second FBI concern within the past week.
(14:20) Rackspace has issued a "no comment" response concerning the FBI's actions.
(15:25) New list of IMCs affected: ambazonia, uruguay, andorra, pl, wester mass, radio, uk, antwerpen, nice, nantes, lille, euskalherria, liege, oost-vlaanderen, belgrade, west-vlaanderen, portugal, prague, marseille, galiza, basque, germany media, italy, and brasil.
(16:10) Rackspace has issued the following comments:
I have been in contact with the regional director responsible for the federal order. He has stated that I can not provide any information regarding the order. I am going to follow up with our law enforcement liason to verify this, however.
Regards,
Jennifer O'Connell
Rackspace AUP
***
Unfortunately, we have received a federal order to provide your hardware to the requesting agency. We are complying at this time. Our datacenter technicians are building you a new server which will be online as soon as possible. Your account manager will notify you once the new server is online and available.
I apologize for abruptness of this. However, we are required to comply with all federal orders of this nature.
Please let us know if there is anything that we can do to make this easier on you.
Regards,
Jennifer O'Connell
AUP Administrator
Rackspace Managed Hosting
***
(16:45) The story has hit slashdot:
http://yro.slashdot.org/yro/04/10/07/204217.shtml?tid=153&tid=219
(16:55) Original photos are now available here:
http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/mtoups/nantes/copsinnantes.htm
(October 8, 2004 -- 11:30) Additional information is being posted here: http://indymedia.org/en/static/fbi
(13:00) Statement from Rackspace:
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.
(23:50) According to Italian press agencies tonight, and Agence-France Presse, who took a quote from an FBI spokesperson: the FBI was
requested to take this action by Switzerland and Italian governments:
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1509&ncid=738&e=6&u=/afp/20041008/tc_afp/us_internet_justice |
Related stories on this site:
Really Untold News: The Recent Global Assault on Independent Media
indy vs fbi
IL PMLI CONDANNA IL SEQUESTRO DEI DISCHI DI INDYMEDIA
holy crap. Drudge is reporting on the server seizure.
Alternative Network's Internet Servers Confiscated
| 
This work is in the public domain. |
Comments
|
Re: FBI seizes Indymedia Servers. Reasons Unknown. Background Info: |
by Elizabeth Coote
elizabethcoote (nospam) msn.com (unverified) |
Current rating: 0
07 Oct 2004
|
More fallout from the RNC convention when Indymedia posted the delegates' names, addresses and hotel addresses.
Your Cyberpal
Elizabeth |
|
Re: FBI seizes Global Indymedia Servers. Reasons Unknown. Background Info: |
by Devin T-O
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
07 Oct 2004
|
|
Just to be clear: the FBI does not issue orders. Courts issue orders. The FBI may request that a US Attorney seek a search warrant or subpoena from a court. If Rackspace is not commenting, this probably means there is a gag order, as there was the last time something like this happened in 2002. |
|
Re: FBI seizes Global Indymedia Servers. Reasons Unknown. Background Info: |
by dirk
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
07 Oct 2004
|
The website of nantes up in the article is not available in the moment. But there exist a google cache version:
http://www.google.de/search?q=cache:EWMWT-NGfvMJ:nantes.indymedia.org/article.php3%3Fid_article%3D3910+&hl=de
But what a pitty, it's without photos! |
|
Re: FBI seizes Global Indymedia Servers. Reasons Unknown. Background Info: |
by Sascha Meinrath
sascha (nospam) ucimc.org (unverified) |
Current rating: 0
07 Oct 2004
|
hey dirk -- photos should now be avilable here:
http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/mtoups/nantes/copsinnantes.htm |
|
Re: Thanks Sacha |
by dirk
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
07 Oct 2004
|
Her is something about the prehistory of Nantes & FBI
http://ch.indymedia.org/fr/2004/10/26580.shtml |
|
Re: FBI seizes Global Indymedia Servers. Reasons Unknown. Background Info: |
by guidoke
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
07 Oct 2004
|
some info on:
http://www.boingboing.net/2004/10/07/indymedia_reports_fb.html |
|
Maybe another official reason |
by dirk
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
07 Oct 2004
|
|
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/internetprivacy/2004-08-31-indymedia-posts-addys_x.htm |
|
Re: FBI seizes Global Indymedia Servers. Reasons Unknown. Background Info: |
by anonymous
anon (nospam) anonymous.com (unverified) |
Current rating: 0
07 Oct 2004
|
Mark McCarron of the GIEIS project released new information relating to 911 and Bush's involvement with neo-nazi groups. He posted it indymedia.org.uk yesterday.
see copies of it here:
http://portland.indymedia.org/en/2004/10/299009.shtml
http://portland.indymedia.org/en/2004/10/299006.shtml
http://portland.indymedia.org/en/2004/10/298984.shtml
http://portland.indymedia.org/en/2004/10/298972.shtml
http://portland.indymedia.org/en/2004/10/298970.shtml
The CIA, neo-nazis, bush, binladen family and microsoft, all in it together for cash. |
|
Nantes IMC posting translated |
by NB!
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
08 Oct 2004
|
Nantes (France) IMC
original posting: http://nantes.indymedia.org/article.php3?id_article=3910
dated Wed 8 September 2004
mirror (still works)
http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/mtoups/nantes/copsinnantes.htm
Translation of text accompanying images of undercover officers
Photos of 2 cops in the anti-G8 cell
Geneva post-G8: videos, photos and testimony; everything helps on the trail of the rioters. A meticulous effort today to pursued by two detectives, who have made 200 arrests so far.
The [anti] G8 cell was nevertheless disbanded in December 2003. It has returned to service, much smaller: two detectives.
These detectives views films and photos received from informers and colleagues.
They go to demonstrations in Geneva where they hope to find "rioters."
Moreover, they take new photos in order to perhaps constitute a database of photos of activists susceptible of being future rioters in future riots in Geneva.
As one of the 2 detectives said: "I have seen two of my colleages lynched during anti-WTO demonstrations, in 1998. I will never forget it."
Perhaps there are other things that this detective will never forget. Because revenge is a dish best served cold. |
|
‘More Intimidation Than Crime-Busting’ Says IFJ As Police Target Independent Media Network |
by International Federation of Journalists via Sascha Meinrath
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
08 Oct 2004
|
[ From: http://www.ifj.org/default.asp?Index=2734&Language=EN ]
08/10/2004
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the global organisation representing over 500,000 journalists worldwide, today called for an investigation into the action by police in Britain in co-operation with other agencies that led to the temporary closure
of 21 of the more than 140 Indymedia web sites worldwide.
"We have witnessed an intolerable and intrusive international police operation against a network specialising in independent journalism," said Aidan White IFJ General Secretary. "The way this has been done smacks more of intimidation of legitimate journalistic inquiry than crime-busting."
The IFJ believes that the authorities may have abused their powers in carrying out the action, which is said to have been carried out at the request of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the United States.
Yesterday police seized two web server computers in London used by the Indymedia network. The servers were located on the premises of the Rackspace company, which is now not giving out any information.
Initial reports suggested FBI officers themselves had seized the servers. The seizure follows visits by the FBI to Indymedia personnel in the US inquiring about the publication on the French site Indymedia Nantes of photographs of Swiss undercover police photographing protestors. The photographs remain available on other websites.
Indymedia sites, which provide challenging and independent reporting, particularly of political and social justice issues, are open forums where any member of the public can publish their comments.
The IFJ believes the seizure may be linked to a September 30 court case in San Jose California, in which Indymedia San Francisco and two students at Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania successfully opposed an application by Diebold Election Systems Inc to remove documents claiming to reveal flaws in the design of electronic voting machines which are due to be used widely in the forthcoming US Presidential election.
Although Indymedia UK was back in operation within hours, several of the other 20 sites affected remain silenced today.
"The seizing of computers and the high profile nature of this incident suggests that someone wanted to stifle these independent voices in journalism," said Aidan White. "We need a full investigation into why this action took place, who took part and who authorised it.â€
For further information: +32 2 235 22 07
The IFJ represents over 500,000 journalists in more than 100 countries |
|
Re: FBI seizes Global Indymedia Servers. Reasons Unknown. Background Info: |
by Sascha Meinrath
sascha (nospam) ucimc.org (unverified) |
Current rating: 0
08 Oct 2004
|
anyone know much about the MLAT:
Statement from Rackspace:
"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."
This would seem to imply that Indymedia is being targeted in an investigation concerning things "such as international terrorism, kidnapping and money laundering." |
|
Re: FBI seizes Global Indymedia Servers. Reasons Unknown. Background Info: |
by Sascha Meinrath
sascha (nospam) ucimc.org (unverified) |
Current rating: 0
08 Oct 2004
|
more coverage from "The Register":
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/10/08/fbi_indymedia_raids/ |
|
MLAT |
by ML
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
08 Oct 2004
|
The Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty isn't specific to terrorism cases. It applies to any international criminal matter between signatoreis to the treaty.
Basically it fast-tarcks the cooperation of prosecutors by over-riding national sovereignty. The defense in such cases still has to operate under the often complicated restrictions of national law as applied to international cases brought under the treaty.
Here's some links:
http://travel.state.gov/law/mlat.html
http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1044521003419
http://www.iap.nl.com/speeches_annual_conference_2003_washington/mutual_legal_assistance_treaties_speech_by_annabelle_bolt.html
http://europa.eu.int/comm/external_relations/us/sum06_03/extra.pdf
or google "Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty" |
|
Re: FBI seizes Global Indymedia Servers. Reasons Unknown. Background Info: |
by Anna Epelbaum
aepelbaum (nospam) yahoo.com (unverified) |
Current rating: 0
08 Oct 2004
|
It seems to be very strange and suspicious.
But I, personally, was a participant of a great lot of legal violations here (I was a victim or one of victims). So, maybe, it is true fully or parcially. |
|
Lessons Learned |
by Scott Edwards
scottisimo (nospam) hotmail.com (verified) |
Current rating: 0
08 Oct 2004
|
|
There is little reason to expect this will be the last time we encounter this. At very least it should give us pause for thought on how the servers are operated. When various governments can, for practical purposes, knock out 15-20% of the indy network with "exploratory" investigations, its probably a good indication of too many eggs in one basket. Or maybe an indication of the need for some redundancy. Thoughts? |
|
Stats from the affected sites. |
by Sascha Meinrath
sascha (nospam) ucimc.org (unverified) |
Current rating: 0
08 Oct 2004
|
Some folks have asked how busy the sites affected were. Here's some info:
How much traffic did these sites get?
Tons. Around 3 terabytes/month. One rackspace guy said we were one of their larger customers, fwiw. Aggregated the hits for all sites are easily over a million/day. For instance, italy often got 800,000 hits/day themselves on regular days and UK would peak in excess of 1 million during events. |
|
Re: FBI seizes Global Indymedia Servers. Reasons Unknown. Background Info: |
by Anna Epelbaum
aepelbaum (nospam) yahoo.com (unverified) |
Current rating: 0
09 Oct 2004
|
Global postings on this web within last three months at least (when I 've read them regularly) have been not much ANTI Bush's regime. As a matter of fact, many global publications have supported Bush's re-election at different points of views.
This circumstance doesn't bother me, as this is supposed to be "Free Publishing Forum", where editorial staff has no rights to hide postings. Nevertheless, I truly don't see reasons for FBI to shut down Global Indy. The only believable explanation -this is self-inflicted wound to get immediate favors or, maybe more precisely, no immediate penalties, from upcoming new regime! |
|
Re: FBI seizes Global Indymedia Servers. Reasons Unknown. Background Info: |
by PMLI
pmli.cc (nospam) tiscalinet.it (unverified) |
Current rating: 0
09 Oct 2004
|
IL PMLI CONDANNA
IL SEQUESTRO DEI DISCHI DI INDYMEDIA
In nome della libertà di stampa e di informazione, il PMLI condanna il sequestro dei dischi di Indymedia siti a Londra da parte della FBI statunitense.
Questo atto liberticida – che ha colpito più di 20 siti di Indymedia in tutto il mondo, compresa l’Italia -, è particolarmente odioso e inammissibile in quanto mira, tra l’altro, a sabotare la imminente riunione del Social forum europeo a Londra.
I governanti e le istituzioni degli Stati borghesi si riempiono la bocca di libertà e di democrazia ma nei fatti ostacolano la libera espressione delle opposizioni. Nel caso specifico ancora una volta registriamo l’onnipotenza e l’arroganza dell’imperialismo americano.
Il PMLI mentre chiede l’immediato dissequestro dei dischi, esprime la propria solidarietà militante a Indymedia globale e a quella italiana.
L'UFFICIO STAMPA DEL PMLI
Firenze, 9 ottobre 2004, ore 9,30 |
|
mere specualtions.... |
by n
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
09 Oct 2004
|
Seems more likely to me that this would relate to the goings on in Europe than in the US. All the servers effected by this were European IMCs, and there is a big rucus going on over there, which IMC is reporting on quite heavily. If this were a domestic concern, you'd think they'd have taken action within the US, and taken servers that host US sites. I think they are trying to reduce organizing effectiveness in Europe in order to deter the mass demonstrations that are going on there at the moment.
my $0.02...
-n |
|
Re: FBI seizes Global Indymedia Servers. Reasons Unknown. Background Info: |
by Anna Epelbaum
aepelbaum (nospam) yahoo.com (unverified) |
Current rating: 0
09 Oct 2004
|
Dear n, and what are these demonstrations about? They want Bush out, don't they? But so wants the majority of this country doesn't it? So, he would be out shortly. What else is INDY doing in Europe, which produced such negative reaction, ah? What is INDY organizing in Europe? New White Supremacy or Neo Nazi movement, or what?
Your local leaders are sure very much afraid of free competition and ready to participate and organize such movements, don't they? |
|
demonstrations in europe.. |
by n
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
10 Oct 2004
|
(sorry about the accidental re-post!!)
Anna-
No. Those demonstrations are about domestic issues in thier countries. I don't know the details, but the demonstrations in germany are protesting thier attempt to dismantle the welfare system. |
|
Re: FBI seizes Global Indymedia Servers. Reasons Unknown. Background Info: |
by Mark McCarron
angelofd7 (nospam) icqmail.com (unverified) |
Current rating: 0
13 Oct 2004
|
Here's the latest info:
FBI propaganda are in control.
Here's the latest news report:
http://www.almuajaha.com/newswire/display/7202/index.php
Extensive info on Bush's involvement with neo-nazi groups, Iraq and his involvement with 911.
Navigate through the newswire, there are nearly 10 pages of stories.
http://www.almuajaha.com/newswire/index.php |
|
Don't Waste Our Time (or IMC Newswires) |
by ML
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
14 Oct 2004
|
Mark,
You've obviously not paid much attention to the reality of what Indymedia has to deal with. You apparently would prefer that Indymedia readers spend their time chasing ghosts to spin such BS conspiracy theory. I wonder who that would benefit most? Probably the same assholes who seized the servers.
Come back when you have something significant, concrete, and based on facts, rather than merely on your own troubled paranoia. Spamming an IMC Newswire full of your dreck (http://www.almuajaha.com/newswire/index.php) proves nothing except that you're a pig... in more ways than one. |
|
Re: FBI seizes Global Indymedia Servers. Reasons Unknown. Background Info: |
by LSM
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
08 Aug 2005
|
|
Bush sucks... kem casino club playing card mgm casino las vegas
internet casino keno casino gambling to download
online card game casino horseshoe casino
online game not casino morongo hotel and casino
sim slots casino online casino gambling trend
moblie blackjack poker slots .com
aol casino game stratosphere hotel and casino las vegas
7 sultan online casino online casino game craps
video poker pay tables schedules poker run free video boat
indian gaming casino best online casino
internet blackjack acronym 3 in 1 portable poker roulette blackjack game
free video poker wagering online free video poker games
online casino sport book gambling casino game no downloads
indian gaming casino betting casino gambling online sport
indian casino gaming history suncoast hotel and casino |
|
