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Wikileaks accused Bradley Manning loses challenge to most serious charge Wikileaks accused Bradley Manning loses challenge to most serious charge
(35 minutes later)
A military judge has refused to dismiss the most serious charge facing a US soldier accused of leaking thousands of secret documents. A military judge has refused to dismiss the most serious charge facing Bradley Manning, the US soldier who allegedly leaked thousands of secret documents.
Lawyers for Pte Bradley Manning, 25, argued the US has not proved that he "aided the enemy". Lawyers for the 25-year-old argued there is no proof he "aided the enemy", a charge carrying a life prison term.
The charge carries a life prison term. He has previously pleaded guilty to 10 of the more than 20 charges he faces.
Prosecutors have argued he "systematically harvested" documents eventually seen by Osama Bin Laden.Prosecutors have argued he "systematically harvested" documents eventually seen by Osama Bin Laden.
The case, allegedly involving 700,000 files, is considered the largest-ever leak of secret US government documents.
"He [Pte Manning] was knowingly providing intelligence to the enemy," said Judge Colonel Denise Lind at Thursday's hearing in Fort Meade, Maryland."He [Pte Manning] was knowingly providing intelligence to the enemy," said Judge Colonel Denise Lind at Thursday's hearing in Fort Meade, Maryland.
The decision does not rule out the possibility of Pte Manning being ultimately acquitted of the charge. The decision does not exclude the possibility of Pte Manning being ultimately acquitted of the charge.
No 'evil intent'No 'evil intent'
On Thursday, Judge Lind also denied a defence request to drop a computer fraud charge. The accused, who appeared to be following the proceedings closely, showed no reaction to the ruling.
He has previously pleaded guilty to 10 of the more than 20 charges he faces.
But on Thursday, Judge Lind also denied a defence request to drop a computer fraud charge.
She is still considering a motion by Pte Manning's lawyers to dismiss five charges of theft.She is still considering a motion by Pte Manning's lawyers to dismiss five charges of theft.
The case, involving 700,000 files, is considered the largest-ever leak of secret US government documents. Some two dozen of his supporters sat quietly in the courtroom, some wearing t-shirts printed with the word "truth".
On Monday, defence lawyer David Coombs said the Army private was guilty of negligence, but not the "general evil intent" required to justify the life charge. "We're disappointed," Jeff Paterson, head of the Bradley Manning Support Network, told the Associated Press news agency outside court.
On Monday, defence lawyer David Coombs argued that the Army private was guilty of negligence, but not the "general evil intent" required to justify the life charge.
He said the government had offered no evidence to show that Pte Manning knew the leaked files could fall into the hands of al-Qaeda militants.He said the government had offered no evidence to show that Pte Manning knew the leaked files could fall into the hands of al-Qaeda militants.
Pte Manning's lawyer has sought to show that he was "young, naive and good-intentioned" when he arrived in Iraq, but became disillusioned.Pte Manning's lawyer has sought to show that he was "young, naive and good-intentioned" when he arrived in Iraq, but became disillusioned.
The accused told a pre-trial hearing in February that he had divulged the documents to spark a public debate about US military and foreign policy.The accused told a pre-trial hearing in February that he had divulged the documents to spark a public debate about US military and foreign policy.
Prosecutors have argued the leaks damaged national security and endangered American lives, and said Pte Manning used his military training and access to gain notoriety.Prosecutors have argued the leaks damaged national security and endangered American lives, and said Pte Manning used his military training and access to gain notoriety.
Among the items sent to Wikileaks was graphic footage of an Apache helicopter attack in 2007 that killed a dozen people in the Iraqi capital Baghdad, including a Reuters photographer.Among the items sent to Wikileaks was graphic footage of an Apache helicopter attack in 2007 that killed a dozen people in the Iraqi capital Baghdad, including a Reuters photographer.
Other files leaked included thousands of battlefield reports from Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as secure messages between US embassies and the state department in Washington.Other files leaked included thousands of battlefield reports from Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as secure messages between US embassies and the state department in Washington.