Somerset man arrested...and his goods handed to private company

If you're in any doubt that we're living in a what George Monbiot calls a "Captive State", then here's your proof.

British man arrested for role in running FileSoup file sharing website

So: An association of private companies called FACT (Federation Against Copyright Theft Ltd) now sends the police to do their bidding. Copyright infringement (which is what Megacorp says filesharing is, under law) used to be a civil matter but now it appears to be in a grey area between civil and criminal law.

The guy's stuff was seized, he was released on bail (but not charged), and - get this - his stuff was handed over to FACT.

One commentator (on the Guardian article) put it well:

I don't care about the rights and wrongs of the site, I care about the rights and wrongs of letting private entities breach a persons human rights. That is something ONLY the police should have the power to do. It should not be allowed for FACT to purchase a warrant or buy a prosecution.

So what next? Extradition to the US on an allegation that you've downloaded a film? Welcome to the other side of the looking glass.