Bradley Manning, the soldier accused of leaking tens of thousands of state secrets to WikiLeaks, is no longer being held naked in jail without bedding, his lawyer says.
He has his own cell, can receive mail and can even watch movies at weekends, court martial specialist
David Coombs says on his website.
Human rights observers have long protested the way Manning was held at the Marine Corps Base in Quantico, Va. He was moved to Fort Leavenworth, Kans. on April 20, says Coombs, a former military attorney and member of the United States Army Reserve.
Manning, 23, “is no longer under Prevention of Injury watch and is no longer subjected to harsh pretrial confinement conditions,” the lawyer adds.
Coombs says Manning is now being treated just as other service personnel who are awaiting courts martial. His day begins with a 4:50 a.m. wake-up call
“Unlike at Quantico, PFC Manning's cell has a large window that provides adequate natural light. His cell also has a desk, a bed, and a toilet. The cell is approximately 80 square feet. He is provided with a normal mattress, sheets and a pillow. None of his clothing is taken away from him at night.”
Manning was detained in May last year and declared a “Maximum Custody Detainee.” Amnesty International and other rights groups have claimed that despite not being convicted of any crime, his treatment amounted to torture. They say he was held in solitary confinement for 23 hours a day.
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