Roger Waters claims that US, UK don’t care at all about rule of law
(MENAFN) In an exclusive interview with RT aired on Monday, former Pink Floyd bassist Roger Waters sharply criticized the United States and the United Kingdom for their treatment of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, describing it as "vicious persecution" indicative of a disregard for the rule of law.
Waters' remarks came in response to recent developments where Assange struck a deal with United States authorities, pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to obtain and disseminate national defense information. As part of the agreement, Assange was sentenced to five years, a term he had already served in London's Belmarsh maximum security prison, and subsequently allowed to return to Australia. The United States also dropped its extradition request but required Assange to direct Wikileaks to delete classified information from its servers and devices.
According to Waters, Washington's handling of Assange and Wikileaks reveals a strategy to use national security as a pretext to silence journalists. He criticized this approach as aimed at deterring other journalists from publishing information that challenges United States interests. Waters emphasized that Assange's treatment by both the United States and United Kingdom governments is appalling, highlighting it as evidence that these governments disregard fundamental principles of the rule of law.
The musician further argued that the actions against Assange undermine the notion of a "rules-based order" promoted by Washington, asserting that it reflects a unilateral imposition of power without accountability. Waters' condemnation underscores broader concerns about press freedom and governmental accountability in the handling of sensitive information.
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