INDYMEDIA SERVERS SEIZED

ON Thursday 7th October, claiming that it was acting as a “good corporate citizen”, the British web-hoster, Rackspace Managed Hosting, handed over two Indymedia servers to the American authorities.

Indymedia, an international media network, covers social justice issues and provides a news-wire to which its users contribute. This allows coverage of a variety of grass roots issues, ranging from tenants' rights to conservation to anti-GM protests. In all, 20 websites across 17 different countries were shut down by the move, although the UK site remained on line thanks to a back-up server.

"In the present matter regarding Indymedia, Rackspace Managed Hosting, a U.S. based company with offices in London, is acting in compliance with a court order pursuant to a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT), which establishes procedures for countries to assist each other in investigations such as international terrorism, kidnapping and money laundering” Rackspace's statement added.

"We have witnessed an intolerable and intrusive international police operation against a network specialising in independent journalism," commented Aidan White, the General Secretary of the International Federation of Journalists. "The way this has been done smacks more of intimidation of legitimate journalistic inquiry than crime-busting."

An Indymedia statement said it was unclear why, or to where, the servers have been taken. It was also unclear why such a treaty would apply in this context, or if the Home Office was involved.

The FBI, speaking to the French AFP, acknowledged that a subpoena had been issued but, confusing the matter further, said this was at the request of Italian and Swiss authorities.
"It is not an FBI operation," said its spokesman, Joe Parris. It is, indeed, more likely to be a CIA operation, but since Rackspace are prohibited from further comment, and no-one else has so far provided an explanation, the matter remains a mystery. Commenting on the news, Tim Gopsill of the NUJ said: "If the security services of the UK or US can just walk in and take away a server, then there is no freedom of expression."

see www.indymedia.org.uk for more details