by Zac Smith
Oklahomans are paying particular attention to the case of PFC Bradley Manning, an Oklahoma native. Hearings on his case commenced at Fort Meade, Md., last month. Manning, 24, stands accused of leaking classified files to whistle-blowing organization WikiLeaks. For his alleged role in the incident, which the Guardian called "the biggest leak of US state secrets in history," Manning faces probable life imprisonment.
The files, which WikiLeaks released to the public, contained documentation of numerous previously-concealed crimes committed by the Obama ad-ministration. Arguably the most prominent such document was a video of US soldiers shooting Iraqi journalists Namir Noor-Eldeen and Saeed Chmagh in an incident Army spokespeople had denied US responsibility for.
Manning‘s military-administrated hearing has been tightly controlled; according to the Nation, observers have been prohibited from bringing cell phones, computers and other recording devices
into the courtroom. The most comprehensive coverage of the hearing has been provided by Bradley Manning Support Network correspondent Rainey Reitman.
According to Reitman, Manning requested that investigating officer Lt.Col. Paul Almanza, whose position in the court is equivalent to that of a judge, remove himself from the case. Manning contended that Almanza‘s work as a prosecuting attorney for the Department of Justice presented a potential conflict of interest. Almanza, however, declined to recuse himself, asserting that no conflict of interest existed. Reitman also reported that, at the conclusion of proceedings December 16, Army veteran Nate Goldschlag called "You‘re a hero!" to Manning from the gallery. Numerous Manning supporters have also expressed solidarity by picketing outside the facility.
A military spokesperson told the Nation that official transcripts of the trial will not be available until March or April 2012.
The files, which WikiLeaks released to the public, contained documentation of numerous previously-concealed crimes committed by the Obama ad-ministration. Arguably the most prominent such document was a video of US soldiers shooting Iraqi journalists Namir Noor-Eldeen and Saeed Chmagh in an incident Army spokespeople had denied US responsibility for.
Manning‘s military-administrated hearing has been tightly controlled; according to the Nation, observers have been prohibited from bringing cell phones, computers and other recording devices
into the courtroom. The most comprehensive coverage of the hearing has been provided by Bradley Manning Support Network correspondent Rainey Reitman.
According to Reitman, Manning requested that investigating officer Lt.Col. Paul Almanza, whose position in the court is equivalent to that of a judge, remove himself from the case. Manning contended that Almanza‘s work as a prosecuting attorney for the Department of Justice presented a potential conflict of interest. Almanza, however, declined to recuse himself, asserting that no conflict of interest existed. Reitman also reported that, at the conclusion of proceedings December 16, Army veteran Nate Goldschlag called "You‘re a hero!" to Manning from the gallery. Numerous Manning supporters have also expressed solidarity by picketing outside the facility.
A military spokesperson told the Nation that official transcripts of the trial will not be available until March or April 2012.
Reprinted from:
http://peoplesworld.org/bradley-manning-faceslife-imprisonment-in-whistleblower-case/
http://peoplesworld.org/bradley-manning-faceslife-imprisonment-in-whistleblower-case/
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