Scott Ritter forced off plane - has his passport confiscated
US State Department Forced Scott Ritter Off Plane to Russia, Confiscated His Passport
Ritter was slated to participate in the annual St.Petersburg International Economic Forum as a guest speaker.
“As I was boarding my flight out of New York I was pulled aside by three CBP officers, who seized my passport. When asked why, they said orders of the State Department. No further information was provided. My bags were removed from the flight, and I was escorted out of the airport,” the former US Marine intelligence officer told Sputnik.
Scott Ritter added that his passport was not given back. He said he will appeal the decision.
Ritter believes US authorities are afraid of his participation in the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF).
“Is this done under the First Amendment to the US Constitution or the Fourth?” Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova asked sarcastically, commenting on Scott Ritter's removal from his flight to Russia and the confiscation of his passport.
The First Amendment to the US Constitution guarantees, among other things, non-interference with the freedoms of speech and assembly, while the Fourth Amendment prohibits unreasonable searches and detentions.
SPIEF is the largest annual Russian business event in the economic sphere, and is attended by dozens of politicians and entrepreneurs from around the world. This year, the forum will take place on June 5-8.
Larry Johnson: View of Ukraine from St. Petersburg
IMPORTANT UPDATE - Pepe Escobar
Judge Nap was NOT removed from that flight from NYC alongside Scott.
Larry Johnson, who's already in St. Petersburg - we're meeting tomorrow - wrote me, "the judge canceled earlier in the day because the Russian citizen, a former FSB officer, who is going to sponsor them was arrested last night via orders from a political opponent. Their sponsor is running for mayor in some city outside of Moscow. This local official acted with local police. Once Scott learned that he told the judge better to cancel, I don’t think that had anything to do with Scott being removed from the flight."
By the way, Judge Nap was interviewing Larry exactly when Scott was facing Little Blinkie's no-fly mandate.
This was the last thing he posted on Telegram before this happened.
Anna Neistat, Clooney Foundation for Justice
I hear you’re trying to get arrest warrants issued for Russian “propagandists.”
Here I am.
In your face.
If telling the truth about Russia makes me a propagandist in your book, then I accept the title.
Your buddies Ukraine think so—they’ve had me on a kill list years charged with the same “crime.”
Bring it on.
I’ll school you on the First Amendment.
I’ll end up bankrupting your pathetic little operation.
You guys suck as an organization.
You have zero concept of what free speech is.
Try and arrest me and you’ll find out.
In spades.
It’s war.
https://t.me/seemorerocks/67186
Only surprise is that they didn't supress Scott sooner. He's just proved he's on target