An attempt at a citizen's arrest of John Bolton (pictured here), the former American ambassador to the UN, at the Hay Festival in Wales failed Wednesday night.
George Monbiot, the columnist and activist, had tried to perform a citizen’s arrest on Bolton as he ended a talk to more than 600 people on Wednesday evening.
In chaotic scenes, Monbiot was stopped from doing so by security guards.
During the attempt Monbiot shouted out, “John Robert Bolton, I am arresting you for the charge of aggression, the crime of aggression, as defined by the Nuremberg Principles.”
Afterwards Monbiot, a regular freelance contributor for The Guardian, told the London Telegraph he was “disappointed” his attempt had failed.
He said: “This was a serious attempt to bring one of the perpetrators of the Iraq war to justice, for what is described under the Nuremberg Principles as an international crime.”
Monbiot stated he had given a dossier of evidence on Mr Bolton to Dyfed-Powys Police ahead of his attempt to present his charge sheet.
He added: “I’m aware that I’ve made what I believe is the first attempt ever to arrest one of the perpetrators of the Iraq War, and I believe that is a precedent and I would like to see that precedent followed up.”
A group of anti-war activists waved placards and shouted “war criminal” as security personnel escorted Bolton out.
Bolton was due to speak in Bristol yesterday on to speak there as part of the Bristol Festival Of Ideas.
He didn't show up after protests were planned. He said he was too busy.
The following is from the Tehran Times.
Protesters call Bolton war criminal
John Bolton, who was under-secretary of state under Colin Powell at the time of the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, was jeered by protesters shouting “war criminal” as he left the Hay literary festival.
The jeers came after Bolton, who was a leading hawk in President George W. Bush’s administration, told the audience that five years of “failed” negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program had left just two options for dealing with the issue -- regime change or use of force.
George Monbiot, the columnist and activist, had tried to perform a citizen’s arrest on Bolton as he ended a talk to more than 600 people on Wednesday evening.
In chaotic scenes, Monbiot was stopped from doing so by security guards.
During the attempt Monbiot shouted out, “John Robert Bolton, I am arresting you for the charge of aggression, the crime of aggression, as defined by the Nuremberg Principles.”
Afterwards Monbiot, a regular freelance contributor for The Guardian, told the London Telegraph he was “disappointed” his attempt had failed.
He said: “This was a serious attempt to bring one of the perpetrators of the Iraq war to justice, for what is described under the Nuremberg Principles as an international crime.”
Monbiot stated he had given a dossier of evidence on Mr Bolton to Dyfed-Powys Police ahead of his attempt to present his charge sheet.
He added: “I’m aware that I’ve made what I believe is the first attempt ever to arrest one of the perpetrators of the Iraq War, and I believe that is a precedent and I would like to see that precedent followed up.”
A group of anti-war activists waved placards and shouted “war criminal” as security personnel escorted Bolton out.
Bolton was due to speak in Bristol yesterday on to speak there as part of the Bristol Festival Of Ideas.
He didn't show up after protests were planned. He said he was too busy.
The following is from the Tehran Times.
Protesters call Bolton war criminal
John Bolton, who was under-secretary of state under Colin Powell at the time of the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, was jeered by protesters shouting “war criminal” as he left the Hay literary festival.
The jeers came after Bolton, who was a leading hawk in President George W. Bush’s administration, told the audience that five years of “failed” negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program had left just two options for dealing with the issue -- regime change or use of force.
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