Wikileaks suspect Pfc. Bradley Manning arraigned in first stage of full court martial

No damage to U.S. national security, claim his attorneys - but it sure annoyed Mexico

Ft. Meade, MD -- Pfc. Bradley Manning, alleged mastermind behind the 2010 Wikileaks disclosures which embarrassed the United States, complicated its diplomatic affairs and adversely affected its relationship with Mexico, was formally arraigned yesterday before an Army court martial. Manning entered a plead of not guilty to all counts, which include a charge of "aiding the enemy." The maximum punishment is life imprisonment.

Manning was bound over for trial in January after a military judge at a preliminary hearing, known as an Article 32 proceeding, found sufficient evidence for the case to proceed. More details about the prosecution are available here: http://mexicogulfreporter.blogspot.com/2012/01/wikileaks-suspect-bound-over-for-trial.html.

Army prosecutors said yesterday that they expect to be ready to try the case by early fall, but defense attorneys indicated they will press for a speedy trial, noting that their client has been in pretrial detention for two years. There is no serious doubt that Manning, 24, uploaded tens of thousands of secret U.S. government files to international whistle blower Wikileaks. Defense attorneys have hinted they will focus their case instead on Manning's mental health, and his acknowledged psychological instability when the events occurred. They also argue that the disclosures did not pose any military risk to the United States.

Did Bradley Manning want to be a woman? http://mexicogulfreporter.blogspot.com/2011/12/did-man-behind-explosive-wikileaks.html.
Wikileaks disclosures forced out former U.S. ambassador to Mexico: http://mexicogulfreporter-supplement.blogspot.com/2011/11/new-us-ambassador-to-mexico-stands.html.
U.S. concerns over Yucatán narco violence revealed in Wikileaks disclosures: http://mexicogulfreporter.blogspot.com/2011/11/us-greatly-disturbed-by-yucatan.html.