Julian Assange says we should 'support' alleged NSA leaker, Reality Winner
After Intelligence contractor Reality Leigh Winner was arrested and charged with sharing top secret national security documents about Russia with the media, Wikileaks founder Julian Assange says she "must be supported."
Alleged NSA whistleblower Reality Leigh Winner must be supported. She is a young women accused of courage in trying to help us know. pic.twitter.com/B4aIdt7qz6
— Defend Assange Campaign (@DefendAssange) June 6, 2017
He followed up that tweet saying, "it doesn't matter why she did it or the quality the report. Acts of non-elite sources communicating knowledge should be strongly encouraged."
It doesn't matter why she did it or the quality the report. Acts of non-elite sources communicating knowledge should be strongly encouraged.
— Defend Assange Campaign (@DefendAssange) June 6, 2017
NBC said on Monday that the 25-year-old Winner had leaked classified information to the online news outlet, The Intercept.
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Prosecutors say Winner "printed and improperly removed classified intelligence reporting, which contained classified national defense information."
The FBI received a warrant to search Winner's home where she admitted to removing classified materials and was arrested. The report described two cyber attacks by Russia's military intelligence unit against a company that sells voter registration software and another a few days before the election against 122 local election officials.
Winner faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted with her attorney saying, "she's just been caught in the middle of something bigger than her."
