Former US ambassador escapes arrest in UK for war crimes
Source: IRNA, 29-05-2008
London - Former US Ambassador to the UN, John Bolton, was reported Thursday to have escaped from attempts to put him on trial in the UK over alleged "war crimes" committed during the invasion of Iraq in 2003.
Environmental campaigner George Monbiot tried to make a citizen's arrest as Bolton ended an hour-long discussion at the Hay literature festival in Wales on Wednesday night but security staff were said to have intervened.
Monbiot, a 45-year old author, academic and political activist, earlier challenged him on why, in planning, preparing and waging war against Iraq, he was any different from Nazi war criminals condemned at Nuremberg for alleged breaches.
But according to the Guardian newspaper, he was bundled out of the tent where Bolton was speaking. Comedian Marcus Brigstocke was said to have also pursue Bolton as he left the other side of the tent, but was also blocked by security staff.
Monbiot, who writes a weekly column for the Guardian, said he would continue his attempt to serve arrest paper on politicians involved in the decision to go to war in Iraq.
"I'm disappointed I couldn't reach him, but I made what I believe to be the first attempt ever to arrest one of the perpetrators of the Iraq war, and I would like to see that followed up," he said, also mentioning he planning to pursue former UK premier Tony Blair.
The activist, who was awarded a United Nations Global 500 Award for outstanding environmental achievement, said he consider Blair and other leading politicians to be war criminals who had breached international law by their involvement in the Iraq war.
Bolton, a neoconservative who also served as Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and International Security in Bush administration, defended the US policy during his speech to launch pre-emptive nuclear attacks and promote regime change if necessary.
London - Former US Ambassador to the UN, John Bolton, was reported Thursday to have escaped from attempts to put him on trial in the UK over alleged "war crimes" committed during the invasion of Iraq in 2003.
Environmental campaigner George Monbiot tried to make a citizen's arrest as Bolton ended an hour-long discussion at the Hay literature festival in Wales on Wednesday night but security staff were said to have intervened.
Monbiot, a 45-year old author, academic and political activist, earlier challenged him on why, in planning, preparing and waging war against Iraq, he was any different from Nazi war criminals condemned at Nuremberg for alleged breaches.
But according to the Guardian newspaper, he was bundled out of the tent where Bolton was speaking. Comedian Marcus Brigstocke was said to have also pursue Bolton as he left the other side of the tent, but was also blocked by security staff.
Monbiot, who writes a weekly column for the Guardian, said he would continue his attempt to serve arrest paper on politicians involved in the decision to go to war in Iraq.
"I'm disappointed I couldn't reach him, but I made what I believe to be the first attempt ever to arrest one of the perpetrators of the Iraq war, and I would like to see that followed up," he said, also mentioning he planning to pursue former UK premier Tony Blair.
The activist, who was awarded a United Nations Global 500 Award for outstanding environmental achievement, said he consider Blair and other leading politicians to be war criminals who had breached international law by their involvement in the Iraq war.
Bolton, a neoconservative who also served as Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and International Security in Bush administration, defended the US policy during his speech to launch pre-emptive nuclear attacks and promote regime change if necessary.
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