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John Lilburne and Habeas Corpus

Lawyer Harry Potter discusses how Habeas Corpus works in practice and how it was used by John Lilburne. Lilburne’s opposition to the policies of Oliver Cromwell’s regime led to his trial for sedition under Parliament’s new treason law in 1649. His skilful self defence led to him being declared not guilty. Oliver Cromwell bypassed habeas corpus by having Lilburne imprisoned in Jersey outside the jurisdiction of English law. Parallels are made with Guantanamo Bay. Harry Potter discusses Lilburne’s imprisonment at Mont Oreguiel with curator Doug Ford.

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7 minutes

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