Hanssen rely on the CIA

Robert Hanssen, a former FBI official, accused of espionage in favor of the USSR and Russia, decided not to plead guilty. His lawyer Plato Kacheris announced this press in early May. The parties could not conclude a pre -trial deal. According to Kacheris, the prosecution stubbornly refuses to guarantee Hanssen life in exchange for guilty and cooperation with a preliminary investigation. Under such conditions, the accused does not make sense to admit.

The reporters who filled on May 31 the hall of the Federal District Court in Alexandria, Virginia, hardly recognized Hanssen in a man in the green prison overalls - he was very haggard and now does not at all look like his own photo with a toothy smile. Waiting for the judge’s exit, the accused turned around and looked around the place for the public, but he did not see his acquaintances. Wife and children did not come to the meeting. Kacheris later explained to reporters that Bernadett Hanssen was avoiding all publicity, but mentally she was next to her husband.

The meeting lasted about two minutes. When asked by the judge, whether he finds himself guilty of the crimes incriminated to him, Hanssen answered negatively and said that he wanted the jury to listen to the case. The judge scheduled for the hearing on October 29.

Proceris believes that the defense has good chances. He told reporters that he intends to file a number of petitions, thanks to which the indictment would be greatly reduced in volume, and the remaining points is ready to dispute in the hearing. As far as one can assume, the protection line will be built first of all on the requirement to confirm the authenticity of the evidence, in particular, Hanssen's messages to Moscow employers. It is quite obvious that the preliminary investigation will not want to reveal the source of this information if it comes from the current "mole". In addition, lawyers will demand to introduce secret materials allegedly transferred by Hanssen Moscow to the case. The calculation of the quality is built on the fact that in the event that these petitions are satisfied, the prosecutor's office will prefer to withdraw the appropriate charges. Finally, the defense will probably prove that since the death penalty for espionage cases was restored in legislation only in 1994, episodes that date back to an earlier time cannot serve as the basis for the death sentence - the law of retroactive force does not. However, it is enough to prove to the prosecutors to prove any of the 14 prosecution points providing for the death penalty in order to demand the highest measure. And not the fact that the court will agree with the arguments of the defense.

Ultimately, the fate of Hanssen will solve the jury. The parties are suitable for their selection exclusively. However, it is likely that the US intelligence community will be able to convince the Minister of Justice John Eshcroft to abandon the claim of the death sentence and make a deal with Hanssen. In this case, the process will be reduced to a simple formality and a sentence in the form of a lifelong opinion will be issued on the basis of the recognition of the accused. This is how most often happens.