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| Wikileaks suspect Bradley Manning due in court | Wikileaks suspect Bradley Manning due in court |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| A US Army analyst suspected of leaking government secrets is set to make his first military court appearance. | A US Army analyst suspected of leaking government secrets is set to make his first military court appearance. |
| Bradley Manning faces charges of obtaining and distributing government secrets - which he allegedly leaked to the anti-secrecy website Wikileaks. | Bradley Manning faces charges of obtaining and distributing government secrets - which he allegedly leaked to the anti-secrecy website Wikileaks. |
| The Article 32 hearing will determine whether Mr Manning is to stand trial and is the first opportunity for his defence team to present their case. | The Article 32 hearing will determine whether Mr Manning is to stand trial and is the first opportunity for his defence team to present their case. |
| Mr Manning was arrested in Iraq in May 2010 and is held in military custody. | Mr Manning was arrested in Iraq in May 2010 and is held in military custody. |
| The hearing is taking place under tight security at an army base in Maryland. | The hearing is taking place under tight security at an army base in Maryland. |
| During the Article 32 hearing, which is similar to a pre-trial hearing, both prosecuting and defence lawyers will make their initial cases and are permitted to cross-examine witnesses. | During the Article 32 hearing, which is similar to a pre-trial hearing, both prosecuting and defence lawyers will make their initial cases and are permitted to cross-examine witnesses. |
| Proceedings are expected to last around five days, after which recommendations will be made to a military general, who will decide whether to proceed to a full trial, according to his lawyer, David Coombs. | Proceedings are expected to last around five days, after which recommendations will be made to a military general, who will decide whether to proceed to a full trial, according to his lawyer, David Coombs. |
| Confinement | Confinement |
| Mr Manning has also been charged with "aiding the enemy", a charge that could carry the death penalty. However, reports say prosecutors will only seek a prison sentence. | Mr Manning has also been charged with "aiding the enemy", a charge that could carry the death penalty. However, reports say prosecutors will only seek a prison sentence. |
| To some Bradley Manning is a hero, to others a villain. | To some Bradley Manning is a hero, to others a villain. |
| Many in America will feel, if he is guilty, it is quite clear that he is a traitor who has broken his vows to his country and deserves harsh punishment. Some have even said what he and Wikileaks have done amounts to terrorism. | Many in America will feel, if he is guilty, it is quite clear that he is a traitor who has broken his vows to his country and deserves harsh punishment. Some have even said what he and Wikileaks have done amounts to terrorism. |
| The defence may choose to paint a picture of a disturbed young man, sensitive and gay adrift in a macho culture. They are likely to bring up allegations that he has been subjected to deliberately punitive detention in a military brig. | The defence may choose to paint a picture of a disturbed young man, sensitive and gay adrift in a macho culture. They are likely to bring up allegations that he has been subjected to deliberately punitive detention in a military brig. |
| There is a suggestion that they will focus on arguing the release of the material didn't do much harm. | There is a suggestion that they will focus on arguing the release of the material didn't do much harm. |
| The conditions of Mr Manning's confinement since the time of his arrest have been the subject of criticism. | The conditions of Mr Manning's confinement since the time of his arrest have been the subject of criticism. |
| State department spokesman PJ Crowley resigned after publicly criticising the detention conditions of Mr Manning, and British politicians have also spoken out on the subject. | State department spokesman PJ Crowley resigned after publicly criticising the detention conditions of Mr Manning, and British politicians have also spoken out on the subject. |
| Mr Manning was brought to the maximum security prison at Quantico in July 2010, where he was held in isolation and was reported to have had his clothing removed at night as a suicide-prevention measure. | Mr Manning was brought to the maximum security prison at Quantico in July 2010, where he was held in isolation and was reported to have had his clothing removed at night as a suicide-prevention measure. |
| But in April 2011 Mr Manning was moved to a lower security prison at Fort Leavenworth, where his lawyers say conditions are better. | But in April 2011 Mr Manning was moved to a lower security prison at Fort Leavenworth, where his lawyers say conditions are better. |
| Friday's hearing, at Fort Meade in Mayland, is open to members of the public, who can queue up at the base to get in. | |
| It is first chance for journalists to see Bradley Manning since he was taken into custody 19 months ago, says the BBC's Steve Kingstone. | It is first chance for journalists to see Bradley Manning since he was taken into custody 19 months ago, says the BBC's Steve Kingstone. |