Julian Assange lawyer submits new registration under foreign agent law

Julian Assange’s lawyers this week filed a new registration with the Department of Justice’s Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) division for continuing work on behalf of the embattled Australian WikiLeaks founder. did.

The United States is seeking to extradite Mr. Assange from London to face criminal charges for colluding with former military intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning to illegally obtain and release classified national security documents. According to “Foreign”, 2018 edition federal indictment.

with human rights defenders New York Times Editorial Board He warned that prosecuting Assange would violate freedom of the press.

Mr. Assange’s lawyer, Barry Pollack, a partner at Harris, St. Laurent & Wechsler, said the former Enron executive was indicted on criminal fraud charges following one of the largest corporate bankruptcies in American history. He is an experienced trial lawyer who has successfully won acquittals.

FARA provides an exemption for “the legal representation of a disclosed foreign principal before any court, law, or agency of the United States Government.”

But Pollack said they may engage in “certain services that are ancillary to representation.” on registration documents The company made the filing “out of an abundance of caution,” as Harris St. Laurent and Wexler filed it with the Justice Department.

According to the disclosure, “Services that are not part of the registry and perhaps even ancillary to the representation include providing information about the case to parties interested in the case and attending public education events about the case. It includes participating.”

Mr. Pollack declined to comment.

Steve Roberts, a partner at Holtzman Vogel, told The Hill that the Justice Department has “taken an increasingly narrow view of statutory immunity in recent years.”

“They are reminded that this law applies only to lawyers practicing law and does not apply to other activities that lawyers may undertake on behalf of their clients in connection with legal services, such as public relations or lobbying. clarified,” Roberts added.

“It is likely that his registration calculations were made out of an abundance of caution in preparation for occasional media briefings, knowing that his work with Assange would likely come under further scrutiny.” he added.

Walleye Previously registered with FARA In July 2021, it will carry out “public advocacy work in conjunction with legal representation” on Assange’s behalf through the Law Offices of Barry J. Pollack.

He joined Harris St. Laurent and Wexler last February, the newspaper reported. press release Since it was issued by the company, it is a new registration.

Mr. Pollack’s previous registration states that his legal and advocacy “activity should be exempt” under FARA, but he has made several public appearances on behalf of clients. It was revealed that he appeared in

Walleye Publish meeting with Australian MPs are being asked to provide background information on the incident in September 2023. He also revealed: discuss the Assange incident National Press Club panel in December 2022 and March 2023. Attend a screening Screened the documentary “Ithaca” at the University of Maryland Merrill College of Journalism and participated in a panel discussion after the screening.

“Some prior activities clearly do not need to be disclosed. For example, outreach aimed at influencing the opinions of foreign audiences is largely outside the scope of FARA.” Josh Rosenstein, a member of Ram Rosenstein & Birkenstock, told The Hill.

“But giving the speech will be open to the public,” he added.

Rosenstein pointed out 2020 comments Adam Hickey, a former assistant attorney general at the National Security Agency, talks about the limitations of attorney immunity.

“Representing private clients in adjudicating their interests is distinct from advocating for U.S. government policy changes or advocating on behalf of foreign governments or political parties,” Hickey said. It is closely related to public relations activities.” Pending litigation is not eligible for exemption. They won’t be able to hold a press conference to announce the lawsuit. ”