[Ppnews] Court Hearing on Leonard Peltier & FBI files

[Political Prisoner News]

PRESS RELEASE

On September 8, 2006 at 9:30 a.m., Barry A. Bachrach, Esq. and Michael
Kuzma, Esq. will be arguing before United States Magistrate Judge Susan R.
Nelson for the full release of all FBI files maintained by the Minneapolis
Field Office relating to Leonard Peltier and RESMURS. The FBI reviewed
77,149 pages and released 66,594 pages in full or in part, however, 10,555
pages were withheld in their entirety.

Of utmost significance is that Mr. Peltier seeks release of documents
relating to informants, particularly with respect to the extent the Federal
Bureau of Investigation paid informants to infiltrate Mr. Peltier's defense
team. Mr. Peltier's legal team just discovered evidence establishing that
Douglas Durham, who was a confidential source paid by the FBI to infiltrate
the highest levels of the American Indian Movement and who was exposed on
March 7, 1975, spoke with, and provided information to, William Halprin, the
Chief Prosecutor from Canada against Mr. Peltier in connection with the
extradition proceedings. Halprin requested Durham's involvement "to enable
him to utilize source [Durham] to refute statements made by Peltier's
defense." The FBI instructed Durham "to provide information requested by
Crown Attorney [and] .. If recontacted by Halprin, he would cooperate fully
and would keep Omaha advised of developments."

Knowing full well the impact such revelations would have on Mr. Peltier's
case, the government is fighting vigorously to prevent these documents, that
date back over 30 years, from being publicly released. Among other things,
the FBI claims that the release of this information would harm national
security and reveal the identities of confidential sources. Mr. Peltier's
lawyers have argued that these are nothing more than pretexts to prevent the
release of further evidence of the continuing violation of Mr. Peltier's
constitutional rights and further drives home the fact that Mr. Peltier
never received a fair trial.

The hearing is open to the public.
Place: U. S. Courthouse, 300 South Fourth Street, Courtroom 9E, Minneapolis
Date: September 8, 2006
Time: 9:30 a.m.

For further information contact the Leonard Peltier Defense Committee:

(915) 533-6655  <http://www.leonardpeltier.net> www.leonardpeltier.net

Leonard Peltier Defense Team

Leonard Peltier Defense Committee


The Freedom Archives
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(415) 863-9977
www.freedomarchives.org 
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