A military judge has refused to dismiss the most serious charge facing Bradley Manning, the US soldier who allegedly leaked thousands of secret documents.

BBC

18 July 2013 Last updated at 10:59 ET

 

Wikileaks accused Bradley Manning loses challenge to most serious charge

Pte Manning has said he intended to spark a public debate

Lawyers for the 25-year-old argued there is no proof he "aided the enemy", a charge carrying a life prison term.
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.
The decision does not exclude the possibility of Pte Manning being ultimately acquitted of the charge.
No 'evil intent'
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.

Bradley Manning supporters say attacks on "whistle-blowers" are an attack on democracy

Some two dozen of his supporters sat quietly in the courtroom, some wearing t-shirts printed with the word "truth".
"We're disappointed," Jeff Paterson, head of the Bradley Manning Support Network, told the Associated Press news agency outside court.



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