By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon
BBC - Guardian UK - Honduras - The Source
SDNY COURTHOUSE, May 25 – Alexei Saab, charged with providing aid to Hezbollah, had a proceeding before U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Judge Gardephe on June 15, 2020. Inner City Press covered it, as it did another hearing on April 7, 2021, here and below.
Now on May 24-25, Saab's lawyer has filed a technically untimely motion for bail and to declassify certain information partially disclosed to the defense.
Annexed is an affidavit from Anthanasios Cambanis, disputing that Saab know or would have thought that the person he was allegedly ordered to shoot at was an Israeli spy. Thanassis Cambanis calls it a training exercise. Watch this site.
Back on June 15 his lawyer said Saab, aka Rachid, has no access to law library.
Judge Gardephe asked if the parties have been discussing resolving the case by plea.
But the talks stopped when Saab filed motions. His lawyer Marlon Kirton says remains open to resolving it, but "it's leaning more toward a trial now." But when?
Assistant US Attorney Jason Richman said that with his Office it's fine to provide an update in 30 days, with motion and trial schedule. He said disposition is "unlikely... Things are trending toward a trial." He mentioned the Classified Information Procedures Act, and Section 4 brief.
Judge Gardephe said, There is a lot going on in this case. We'll give you another 30 days to take stock. By then we should know more about the possibility and timing of a trial.
There was anothing status conference on September 18. Inner City Press live tweeted it, here:
His lawyer says Saab hasn't accessed the MCC law library since March, and no access to hard drive for discovery.
Saab's lawyer: We are going to make a motion to dismiss the indictment. It's hard because the SDNY has not pattern jury instructions.
Judge Gardephe: He's proposing briefing through February, with a hearing on or after March 22. Is that acceptable to the US? Yes
Deputy: Thurs, April 1?
Judge Gardephe: I don't want it the first day in April. How about April 6, 10 am? AUSA: I'm supposed to be out of town. But a colleague could do it.
Judge Gardephe: April 7, then - hearing or oral argument. Shall we exclude time? Yes.
And on April 7, Inner City Press again covered it and live tweeted, here:
Saab's lawyer is questioning why the FBI got search warrant for immigration issues when they immediately told him, this is about Hezbollah.
Defense: It raises questions that the [NJ Magistrate] Judge was presented with incomplete information to sign the warrant. Judge Gardephe: If there are misrepresentation in the search warrant application, they might be relevant. But I'd have to read the affidavit
Judge Gardephe: I'm in chambers, let me see if I can find my calendar. Four weeks to file- how about a hearing on defendant's motions on June 21, 10:30 am? I hope we can do it in person. Adjourned.
The case is US v. Saab, 19-cr-676 (Gardephe).
***
Your support means a lot. As little as $5 a month helps keep us going and grants you access to exclusive bonus material on our Patreon page. Click here to become a patron.
