Bradley Manning is an army private accused of leaking internal military documents to wikileaks. He has been held at the Marine Corps brig in Quantico, Virginia for 10 months the majority of which he has served in solitary confinement. Yesterday, 22 additional charges have been leveled against Bradley Manning including a charge of “aiding the enemy” that could carry the death penalty. Read this recent Glenn Greenwald piece. He continues to be mistreated and recently was forced to stand naked in front of his cell. Lt. Col. David Coombs, Manning’s counsel, notes:
Last night, PFC Manning was inexplicably stripped of all clothing by the Quantico Brig. He remained in his cell, naked, for the next seven hours. At 5:00 a.m., the Brig sounded the wake-up call for the detainees. At this point, PFC Manning was forced to stand naked at the front of his cell.
The Duty Brig Supervisor (DBS) arrived shortly after 5:00 a.m. When he arrived, PFC Manning was called to attention. The DBS walked through the facility to conduct his detainee count. Afterwards, PFC Manning was told to sit on his bed. About ten minutes later, a guard came to his cell to return his clothing.
This type of degrading treatment is inexcusable and without justification. It is an embarrassment to our military justice system and should not be tolerated. PFC Manning has been told that the same thing will happen to him again tonight. No other detainee at the Brig is forced to endure this type of isolation and humiliation.