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Bradley Manning Wikileaks case: US court rejects 'bias' Bradley Manning Wikileaks case: US court rejects 'bias'
(about 6 hours later)
A US army appeals court has rejected a request for the officer overseeing the hearing of an army analyst accused of leaking government secrets to withdraw.A US army appeals court has rejected a request for the officer overseeing the hearing of an army analyst accused of leaking government secrets to withdraw.
The military court case of Private Bradley Manning has resumed for its second day - on his 24th birthday - with Lt Col Paul Almanza presiding.The military court case of Private Bradley Manning has resumed for its second day - on his 24th birthday - with Lt Col Paul Almanza presiding.
The defence had accused the investigating officer of "bias".The defence had accused the investigating officer of "bias".
Pte Manning faces 22 charges of distributing state secrets to anti-secrecy site Wikileaks.Pte Manning faces 22 charges of distributing state secrets to anti-secrecy site Wikileaks.
The military hearing will determine whether Pte Manning is to stand trial and is taking place under tight security at an army base at Fort Meade, Maryland. The military hearing, which is expected to last around five days, will determine whether Pte Manning is to stand trial and is taking place under tight security at an army base at Fort Meade, Maryland.
The prosecution will be making their case during Saturday's session. The prosecution began making their case during Saturday's session.
Pte Manning is accused of the unauthorised possession and distribution of more than 720,000 secret diplomatic and military documents.Pte Manning is accused of the unauthorised possession and distribution of more than 720,000 secret diplomatic and military documents.
The hearing, which is expected to last around five days, will also offer the first opportunity for his defence team to present their case since he was arrested in Iraq in May 2010 and placed in military custody. The hearing is the first opportunity for his defence team to present their case since he was arrested in Iraq in May 2010 and placed in military custody.
Lt Col Almanza is a former military judge who now works for the Department of Justice, which has its own investigation into Wikileaks. 'Under stress'
On Saturday, his lawyers put forward the argument while questioning witnesses that he should not have been given access to confidential documents in the first place.
They say Pte Manning was under stress because he was a homosexual soldier at a time when soldiers in the US military could not be open about their sexuality - under the "don't ask, don't tell" policy.
US President Barack Obama has since repealed the ban on openly gay personnel serving in the army.
The presiding officer for the prosectuion, Lt Col Almanza, is a former military judge who now works for the Department of Justice, which has its own investigation into Wikileaks.
During the opening session on Friday, a defence lawyer said Lt Col Almanza's refusal to accept all but two of 38 defence witnesses meant the defence could not adequately make their case.During the opening session on Friday, a defence lawyer said Lt Col Almanza's refusal to accept all but two of 38 defence witnesses meant the defence could not adequately make their case.
But on Friday night the Army Court of Criminal Appeals rejected these concerns.But on Friday night the Army Court of Criminal Appeals rejected these concerns.
The BBC's Paul Adams in Forte Meade says the soldier's defence team is likely to argue that little harm came of the leaks, and that their release was in the greater public interest. Outside the army base, more than 100 people demonstrated in support of Pte Manning on Saturday.
Pte 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. Some held signs reading "Americans have the right to know. Free Bradley Manning" and "Blowing the whistle on war crimes is not a crime", AP news agency reports.
Correspondents say Pte Manning's defence team is also likely to argue that little harm came of the leaks, and that their release was in the greater public interest.
He 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 - and he could face life if convicted.