14 DAY TRIAL // In light of everything that’s been going on in the world since the NSA spying programs were revealed, the Brazilian lawmakers are pushing for police protection for Glenn Greenwald and his partner, David Miranda.
Due to the importance of their testimony regarding the ongoing investigation the Brazilian authorities launched on US spying practices, the journalist and his assistant need to be protected, RT reports.
Brazil’s Parliamentary Inquiry Commission approved an application for police protection for the journalist and his partner. They would most likely have to testify regarding the documents in their possession regarding the US spying on Brazil’s officials.
“There’s been an attempt, not only against our national laws that involves the immunity and safety of our head of state, but other people as well,” a member of the aforementioned commission told the media.
This weekend it was revealed, thanks to documents leaked by Edward Snowden, that the NSA had been spying on the Brazilian and Mexican presidents, as mentioned in a case study on the two countries.
Authorities of the two states didn’t respond well to the news, especially since it was known their citizens had already been under surveillance thanks to prior reports on the NSA practices. However, knowing even their presidents were on the list didn’t bode well – US ambassadors have been summoned and investigations launched.
Efforts to protect both Greenwald and Miranda aren’t that absurd considering Miranda was detained under anti-terrorism laws in the United Kingdom where his electronic devices were confiscated by authorities.
Greenwald also mentioned that he believed his home had been broken into back in July after contacting Miranda and telling him to expect some NSA documents via email.
Thinking that the two, as well as other reporters who have NSA documents from Edward Snowden, are being targeted by the intelligence agency seems perfectly logical under the given circumstances.