Bradley Manning court-martial hears 'evidence of online chats' with Wikileaks founder Julian Assange

[struggle4progress]

Source: The Independent

David Usborne
Wednesday 12 June 2013

... Mark Johnson, the forensic computer sleuth, noted that in communicating with WikiLeaks Pvt Manning had used the alias Nathanial Frank, the name of a historian who wrote a book critical of the US military’s now abandoned ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ policy that obliged gays in the armed services to keep quiet about the sexual identities. The defence has also told the court that the defendant struggled to fit in as a gay soldier.

Any testimony describing direct communications between Manning with Assange will go to the core of the prosecution’s assertion that the defendant set out to compromise national security. It will also be of interest to the US government if it returns to the issue possibly of charging Mr Assange, a step it has not taken.

On the stand, Mr Johnson said he found a trail of chats between Manning and an account that prosecutors believe was used by Mr Assange. Those chats were about government business, he said, adding: “Specifically, they were mentioning Iceland, Iraq, Afghanistan and Gitmo (Guantanamo Bay.)”.They discussed WikiLeaks too.

The prosecution this week has asserted that the torrent of secret material sent by Manning to WikiLeaks included such things as code names and sensitive information on US military tactics and strategy. It also included at least one enemy target, the court was told ...




Read more: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/bradley-manning-courtmartial-hears-evidence-of-online-chats-with-wikileaks-founder-julian-assange-8656118.html

[Hissyspit]

1. "no evidence that WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange asked Manning for anything specific"

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/12/wikileaks-conspiracy_n_3429474.html

"Defense lawyers also attacked the government's assertion that Manning started sending classified information to WikiLeaks within weeks of starting work as an intelligence analyst in Iraq in 2009.

Army computer crimes investigator Mark Johnson testified on cross-examination he found no evidence on Manning's personal computer of WikiLeaks' 'Most Wanted Leaks of 2009.' The government alleges Manning used the list as a guide to obtain documents and videos for the anti-secrecy website.

Johnson also testified on cross-examination that he found no evidence that WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange asked Manning for anything specific in a series of online chats and email exchanges."