MIT begins probe into US activist’s death

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has launched an inquiry into the recent death of a US internet activist, who was critical of US President Barack Obama’s so-called kill list.

On Sunday, Leo Rafael Reif, the president of the MIT, called on Engineering Professor Hal Abelson to lead a “thorough analysis” of MIT’s potential involvement in Aaron Swartz’s death.

Swartz was an outspoken critic of Obama’s “kill list,” a list of individuals who are suspected of terrorism by the US and are listed for targeted killing after final approval by the US president himself.

The blogger was also critical of the US and the Israeli regime for launching joint cyber attacks against Iran.

The 26-year-old was found dead in his apartment in New York City borough of Brooklyn on Friday.

“It pains me to think that MIT played any role in a series of events that have ended in tragedy,” Reif said in a statement published on Sunday.

“Now is a time for everyone involved to reflect on their actions, and that includes all of us at MIT,” he added.

Earlier, Swartz’s family said in a statement that, “Aaron’s death is not simply a personal tragedy. It is the product of a criminal justice system rife with intimidation and prosecutorial overreach.”