Manning has been punished illegally, says military judge
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A US military judge ruled tonight that Pte Bradley Manning, the soldier accused of stealing secret documents and giving them to WikiLeaks, suffered illegal pre-trial punishment and should have 112 days shaved from whatever sentence he might eventually receive.
While the decision by Colonel Denise Lind at a military base in Maryland might offer Pte Manning, who is half British, some satisfaction, it fell very far short of the defence demand for the dismissal of all charges against him. For now, the trial itself is scheduled to begin on 6 March.
Charged with aiding the enemy and 21 other offences, Pte Manning, 25, faces life without the possibility of parole if found guilty. In that instance, the sentence-reduction ordered by court would barely have an impact.
The defence argued the charge-slate should be wiped. Pte Manning was confined to a windowless cell for 23 hours a day in Quantico, Virginia, and for part of the time denied clothing, purportedly because he was a suicide risk. He has since been moved to a facility in Leavenworth, Kansas, under less restrictive custody.
Col Lind said the defendant, who was arrested in 2010, had not been in solitary confinement as such but agreed conditions at Quantico were "excessive in relation to legitimate government interests".
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments