During my first spell at university, in the mid-1980s, I was never content with reading only medical science textbooks. During the long summer break in ’86, I became hooked on the haunting works of Franz Kafka (1883-1924) (Figure 170.1), although I cannot remember what sparked the sudden obsession. Whatever it was, books such as The Castle (1926) and, in particular, The Trial (1925) convinced me that some future dystopia, with absurd legal theory and practice, could never be discounted. Kafka proved that the worst characteristic of humanity is the pathological ambition of some individuals to control and manipulate others. His works sowed the seed of libertarianism which has grown within me ever since.
Figure 170.1: Kafka crafted stark illustrations of a legal system characterized by precepts that were irrational, discriminatory and arbitrary.
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Three years ago, I wrote Article 116 entitled Another False Flag? It was a brief comment on the strange ‘novichok poisoning’ incident in Salisbury, Southern England. The then government’s knee-jerk, anti-Russian conclusion immediately struck me as dubious; so, having read toxicology for decades, I dug up as much analysis as I could find. One of the most rational and informative accounts was written by a fellow blogger, Craig Murray (Figure 170.2), who had once served as British Ambassador to Uzbekistan (2002-4). Although not a scientist, this former high-ranking diplomat demonstrated profound knowledge of both domestic and international politics.
Figure 170.2: Historian and human rights campaigner Craig Murray alongside the crest of his alma mater
Copyright © 2021 D C Thomson Co. Ltd
Since then, I have enjoyed reading Craig’s posts. He comes across as a journalist of integrity who does not shy away from where his logic takes him. However, after reading his incisive criticism of the far-fetched claims of former prime minister Theresa May, relating to the novichok affair, I did wonder whether his card would consequently be marked by the powers that be.
The following year, 2019, Scotland’s former first minister Alex Salmond was charged with various sexual assaults by a total of nine women. Salmond denied all criminality, and a highly-publicized trial led to his being found not guilty on twelve of fourteen charges. Another was ‘not proven’ — a peculiarity of Scots Law — and the remaining one dropped. The defendant was thus acquitted and walked free.
Craig discussed the Salmond case on his blog but was rightly careful not to identify any of the accusers. However, mainstream media journalists had also compiled articles, and, when combined, it was claimed that so-called ‘jigsaw identification’, where each writer contributes a different ‘piece’, had served to disclose accusers’ identities. Crucially, though, most identification evidence was deemed not to have come from Craig but from mainstream sources.
Which party, if any, should be held responsible? All, some or none? This is of supreme significance. If only some are to be deemed culpable, then, surely, the mainstream media journalists should take most of the blame, as it was they who supplied the most revealing information — or, if you like, the largest, most recognizable jigsaw pieces.
A criminal trial ensued. To my amazement, consistency and proportionality did not enter into them. All mainstream media contributors having been excused, Craig — alone — was found guilty and sentenced to eight months’ imprisonment (Figure 170.3). This was despite his not being made aware during the trial what exactly he should not have written. On appeal, the controversial, agenda-driven Judge Leeona Dorrian contended, incredibly, that mainstream media journalists should not be governed by legal standards as stringent as those applied to independent commentators.
Figure 170.3: Craig Murray speaks to his supporters in Edinburgh.
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Hence, a hideous legal precedent has now been set. In terms of freedom of expression, all journalists are equal (before the law), but some are more equal than others. Dorrian seems never to have read George Orwell’s Animal Farm, nor, judging by the Kafkaesque nature of the trial, much else of substance. The discriminating factor is, in effect, whether the writer is truly independent, as in Craig’s case, or a paid minion of a corporate publication with its own political motives. Not only is this judgement nonsensical and utterly disgusting, but it creates a jurisprudential grey area between the ‘cans’ and ‘cannots’. The inevitable consequence is that some journalists will henceforth be free to write with relative impunity, while others will be actively discouraged by threat of criminal proceedings.
We are, therefore, treading a dangerous path toward selective media censorship. I have referred to this recently, in Articles 154 and 161, after some of my own material was censored online. Happily for me, I was not subsequently arrested and charged with anything. By some bizarre coincidence, just before I began drafting this article, about an hour ago, a reader emailed to me a screenshot of a message from his internet provider (Figure 170.4), along with a comment which would be amusing were it not so disturbing.
Figure 170.4: ‘Escritor, where on your website have you hidden the weapons? And the violence, gore & hate? Looked everywhere. Can’t find anything. Very disappointed. ;-)’
Copyright © 2021 Sky Group
Craig Murray was imprisoned in an Edinburgh jail four days ago (Figure 170.5). Freedom of expression is incarcerated alongside him. Please visit the following websites and provide as much support and publicity as you can.
Crypto donations can be sent to Craig’s campaign at:
Bitcoin (BTC): bc1q3sdm60rshynxtvfnkhhqjn83vk3e3nyw78cjx9
Ethereum (ETH): 0x764a6054783e86C321Cb8208442477d24834861a
Figure 170.5: Craig Murray and I are both alumni of the University of Dundee. He graduated in 1984; I arrived the following year (Belmont Hall, H-1-9). The university is currently number one in the UK for Biological Sciences, an accolade which is well deserved and brings me, as a biological scientist, immense satisfaction. It also has a reputation for breeding dignified rebels who place principle before cheap expediency.
Copyright © 2021 Craig Murray Justice Campaign
Franz Kafka, Aldous Huxley and George Orwell are collaborating on a new novel.
It is to be entitled 2021.
Copyright © 2021 Paul Spradbery
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