Craig Murray — the former U.K. ambassador, friend of Julian Assange, material witness to the DNC email leak, and supporter of Scottish independence — has been sentenced to eight months in prison on the plainly vindictive charge of contempt of court.
The charge arises from Murray’s reporting on the trial of former Scottish National Party leader and First Minister of Scotland Alex Salmond. In the course of exposing the political nature of the charges against Salmond — a supporter of Scottish independence — Murray made comments that could be used, in combination with insider information, to identify witnesses against Salmond who had been granted anonymity by the court. At least, that’s what the prosecution against him claims.
Murray has three weeks to appeal the verdict, but will be unable to testify in Spain on May 20 regarding the spying of UC Global against Julian Assange in the Ecuadorian embassy in London, because he has been stripped of his passport.
