After seven months of additional investigation by the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command (USACIDC) and other investigative agencies, the U.S. Army charged Pvt. 1st Class Bradley E. Manning with 22 additional charges on March 2, 2011. Most significantly, the capital offense charge of aiding the enemy under UCMJ Article 104 was added. The Army claims that the prosecution will not recommend the death penalty; however, the Army’s Convening Authority, Maj. Gen. Karl R. Horst (Commanding General, U.S. Army Military District of Washington) will have the final say in the matter.
Jeff Paterson from Courage to Resist and the Bradley Manning Support Network stated:
"I’m shocked that the military opted to charge Pfc. Bradley Manning today with the capital offense of “aiding the enemy”. While the military is down playing the fact, the option to execute Bradley has been placed on the table. It’s beyond ironic that leaked US State Department cables have contributed to revolution and revolt in dictatorships across the Middle East and North Africa, yet an American may be executed, or at best face life in prison, for being the primary whistleblower. Millions of Americans, and even more internationally, clearly understand the contribution of Pfc. Manning towards not only freedom of information, but literally freedom itself. It’s hard for me to reconcile that with the US Army’s additional criminal charges against Pfc. Manning today."
Related: U.S. Army Press release on new charges -- Bradley Manning Support Network -- Courage to Resist