The attorney representing Private Bradley Manning has filed a motion calling for the military to dismiss all charges against his client, whose constitutional rights were violated during his pretrial confinement. Manning is accused of giving thousands of secret documents to WikiLeaks, which released large portions of them on the Internet.

Manning’s attorney, David Coombs, said in a 110-page motion that the Army private has been subjected to cruel and unusual punishment by military guards acting upon orders from a high-ranking general in the U.S. Marine Corps, which operates the Quantico, Virginia, base where Manning is being held.

While awaiting trial, Manning has suffered “degradation and humiliation” that includes spending several nights in a row without clothes and being forced to stand without sleep.

Manning’s treatment was ordered by an unnamed three-star Marine general who wanted to punish the soldier for previously speaking out about his mistreatment, according to Coombs.

-Noel Brinkerhoff

To Learn More:

Manning Defense Calls for Dismissal of Charges over Cruel and Unusual Punishment in Detention (Common Dreams)

Bradley Manning Treatment in “Flagrant Violation” of Military Code — Lawyer (by Matt Williams, The Guardian)

Three-Star General Was Behind Harsh Treatment of Bradley Manning, Defense Alleges (Kim Zetter, Wired)

Is Secrecy at Bradley Manning Court-Martial about Security or Embarrassment? (by Noel Brinkerhoff and David Wallechinsky, AllGov)