UK Govt: Documents Seized By Glenn Greenwald's Partner in Heathrow Airport Could Harm Britain's National Security
David Miranda was detained for nine hours on Aug. 18
Documents seized from the partner of Guardian journalist Glenn Greenwald might threaten U.K. national security, damage the economy and lead to "widespread loss of life," a government adviser said.
The information, taken from David Miranda on Aug. 18 at Heathrow Airport, "is highly likely to describe techniques which have been crucial in life-saving counter-terrorist operations" and could identify British intelligence agents abroad, Oliver Robbins, a U.K. national security adviser, said in documents released during a court hearing in London today.
Miranda was held for nine hours by British security forces, which seized 58,000 classified documents obtained by the former U.S. security contractor Edward Snowden. Miranda was used as a courier to carry information for Greenwald, who reported on Snowden's allegations about U.S. surveillance programs. Snowden, who faces U.S. espionage charges, has been given temporary asylum in Russia.