| Updated: 2/09 5:02 pm |
Published: 2/09 4:52 pm
|
The Oklahoma Center for Conscience and Peace Research nominated US Army Private First Class Bradley Manning for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Manning is accused of leaking classified material to the anti-secrecy website Wikileaks. Manning faces a general court-martial on 22 counts, including aiding the enemy, which carries a possible life sentence.
In its nomination, OCCPR stated it chose Bradley Manning because of his alleged role in leaking documents and other evidence of war crimes, corruption and lies related to the US wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“Bradley Manning should have received full whistle-blower protections for his actions but instead has served 19 months in prison without a trial, including 10 months spent in solitary confinement,” said James M. Branum, OCCPR Legal Director.
Military prosecutors say Manning gave Wikileaks a trove of sensitive battlefield reports and diplomatic cables. Defense lawyers say Manning was a troubled soldier who shouldn't have had access to classified material.
Manning's will be back in a military courtroom for an arraignment in late February.
