Pentagon Eyes Accused Analyst Over WikiLeaks Data

[mike r]

Source: Wall Street Journal

WASHINGTON — Military investigators are checking computers used by Bradley Manning, a U.S. Army intelligence analyst charged this month with leaking classified information, to see if he is the source of thousands of military documents published Sunday by WikiLeaks.

The material released by WikiLeaks relates entirely to the war in Afghanistan, while Spc. Manning was stationed in Iraq. But investigators are trying to determine what material he was able to get access to and what material he transferred. Col. Dave Lapan, a Pentagon spokesman, said investigators are looking broadly to determine where the material was taken from, but acknowledged that Spc. Manning was a person of interest in the investigation. "He is someone we are looking at closely," Col. Lapan said...

WikiLeaks founder Mr. Assange, at a news conference in London Monday, declined to comment on the identity of the source who leaked the documents, or on how the source managed to copy and leak them. Asked about Mr. Manning, Mr. Assange said: "There is no allegation as far as we can determine" that the documents posted on WikiLeaks Sunday are "connected to Bradley Manning."

He said WikiLeaks has nonetheless "committed funds" to Mr. Manning's legal defense, offering his military-appointed legal team money in case it wants to hire civilian counsel. Mr. Assange said the source who leaked the documents was motivated by a desire "to call attention to a number of these incidents." Mr. Manning's military defense team did not respond to requests seeking comment...


Read more: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704700404575391523088194344.html

[mike_c]

1. prosecuting the truth-teller rather than those who created the embarrassing truths....

Ever the American way!

[jberryhill]

2. "He said WikiLeaks has nonetheless "committed funds""

...thus confirming him as the source.

[Ruby the Liberal]

3. Assange has said in the past that anyone accused of being a contributor

to WikiLeaks who faces charges will be supported as that is the only way they can ensure fairness AND anonymity.

[jberryhill]

5. Making the offer and accepting the offer are two different things

If I were the attorney for either someone who actually contributed or was accused of contributing, I would advise not to take that offer.

[goforit]

4. This going to make a great movie some day.