Bradley Manning Sentenced To 35 Years In Prison Over Leak Of Government Files

Bradley Manning (right)

Reuters is reporting U.S. soldier Bradley Manning, has been sentenced to 35-years in prison for leaking documents and videos to the whistle blower website Wikileaks, uncovering criminal conduct by the government. Manning will be eligible for parole in 10-years. The sentence is seen as making an example of the soldier to discourage others from coming forward as whistle blowers with proof of criminal wrongdoing on the part of the government.

Elizabeth Goitein of Liberty and National Security Program stated of the sentencing, "It's more than 17 times the next longest sentence ever served. The Judiciary Report agrees, the sentence is excessive. Manning's actions were not done for profit, but out of concern regarding the government breaking the law. Ironically, he goes to prison, while select members of government who violated the U.S. Code, Constitution and U.N. law, go free. That is not justice.