An enemy of the state is a person suspected of political crimes against the state, such as treason. In designating certain persons and organizations as enemies of the state, the government can realize the political repression of political opponents, such as dissidents; thus a government can justify political repression as protecting the national security of the country and the nation.[citation needed]
Examples
Political
In ancient Rome, some parties could be named an enemy of the state through specific public actions resulting in a formally recognized state of war.[1] The Latin term proscription was used for official condemnation of enemies of the state.[2]
Leaker of classified U.S. military documents and diplomatic cables Chelsea Manning was charged with "aiding the enemy" (identified as al-Qaeda).[5][6]
Edward Snowden, the American computer specialist who leaked details of top-secret United States and British government mass surveillance programs to the press,[7] has been discussed by opinion writers as being persecuted as an enemy of the state.[8]
Human rights defenders working on behalf of communities affected by large-scale development projects are increasingly branded as enemies of the state.[9][where?]
In Resident Evil: Damnation, special agent Leon S. Kennedy is accused of being an enemy of the state by President of the Eastern Slav Republic Svetlana Belikova who orders her guards to kill him right after she briefly spars in one-on-one combat with him.[14]
The six main characters in Final Fantasy XIII are branded as enemies of the state following the destruction of Cocoon; the main events of the game revolve around them trying to survive and hopefully clear their names.
In the NCIS: New Orleans episode "Breaking Brig," the team hunt down a suspect known as "Matt S. O'Feeney", which was an anagram for eneMy OF State.[15] The suspect was a dangerous man wanted by NCIS and Interpol for illegal arms dealing and other criminal activities.
The protagonists of Avatar: The Last Airbender are declared enemies of the state by Long Feng, Grand Secretariat of the Earth Kingdom's capital city, in the episode "Lake Laogai."