WIKILEAKS CASE: Army Pfc. Bradley Manning sentenced to 35 years for WikiLeaks disclosures

 

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Army Pfc. Bradley Manning is escorted to a security vehicle outside a courthouse in Fort Meade, Md., Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2013, after a hearing in his court martial. A U.S. military judge is expected to announce her sentencing decision Wednesday in Manning's role in leaking classified material to WikiLeaks. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

FORT MEADE, Md. - Army Pfc. Bradley Manning was sentenced to 35 years in prison for leaking troves of classified information to the anti-secrecy group WikiLeaks. He was also given a dishonourable discharge from the military and forfeits his benefits.
A military judge says sentenced Manning in his court-martial at Fort Meade, near Baltimore. He faced up to 90 years in prison for 20 offences, including six violations of the Espionage Act.
Prosecutors have asked Army Col. Denise Lind to sentence him to at least 60 years. Manning's defence has suggested he should spend no more than 25 years in prison.
The 25-year-old Oklahoma native has apologized for hurting the United States. He says he meant to help people by exposing wrongdoing. But he says he should have worked harder to push his concerns through approved channels.

• Related video: Manning supporters marched as trial began

Manning had been acquitted of the most serious charge against him, aiding the enemy, but convicted of espionage, theft and computer fraud charges for giving thousands of classified secrets to WikiLeaks.
The judge deliberated over three days before reaching her verdict in the case that drew worldwide attention. Supporters hailed the 25-year-old Manning as a whistleblower. The U.S. government called him an anarchist computer hacker and attention-seeking traitor.