Alaska Man Indicted for Threatening Supreme Court Justices
An Alaska man has been indicted on federal charges for sending graphic threats to injure and kill six Supreme Court justices and their family members, according to authorities. Panos Anastasiou, 76, allegedly sent over 465 threatening messages through a public court website, including threats of assassination and torture coupled with racist and homophobic rhetoric.
The Attorney General, Merrick Garland, stated that Anastasiou made these threats as retaliation for decisions he disagreed with. The indictment does not specify which justices were targeted, but Garland emphasized the importance of public officials being able to do their job without fearing for their safety or their families.
Anastasiou faces 22 counts, including making threats against a federal judge and making threats in interstate commerce. He was released from detention with conditions that prohibit him from contacting any of the six Supreme Court justices he threatened or their family members.
During the court hearing, it was revealed that Anastasiou had escalated his threatening messages even after being visited by FBI agents. The court also noted his health issues, as he is a Vietnam veteran undergoing treatment for throat cancer.
Threats against federal judges have been on the rise in recent years, reflecting a larger trend of increased violent messages towards public officials. The safety of our democracy relies on protecting those who serve in government roles, ensuring they can perform their duties without fear of harm.
As Anastasiou awaits trial, the impact of his actions serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding the rule of law and safeguarding public officials from threats and violence.
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This article is based on reporting from Anchorage, Alaska, and is copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced or distributed without permission.
