General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Wikileak's Sarah Harrison, Snowden asylum assistant now in exile [View all]Luminous Animal
(27,310 posts)I'd say #2 in all three examples applies to both Snowden and Assange.
1) subject (someone) to hostility and ill-treatment, especially because of their race or political or religious beliefs:his followers were persecuted by the authorities
2) harass or annoy (someone) persistently:
1) to harass or punish in a manner designed to injure, grieve, or afflict; specifically : to cause to suffer because of belief
2 to annoy with persistent or urgent approaches (as attacks, pleas, or importunities) : pester
1) to subject to harassing or cruel treatment, as because of religion, race, or beliefs; oppress.
3) to annoy or trouble persistently.
And you gotta love those Western standards... indefinite detention, assassination, extra-judicial confiscation of property (drug seizures), stop & frisk, torture, black sites, drone terrorism.
USA USA USA !!!