From Jail, Chelsea Manning Blasts Grand Jury’s Secret …

US

23:29 08.03.2019(updated 02:39 09.03.2019) Get short URL

US whistleblower Chelsea Manning issued a statement shortly after her arrest Friday, confirming that she has no intention of complying with the grand jury she's been summoned before. The grand jury wants to question her with regard to her 2010 public disclosures of military and diplomatic secrets.

"I will not comply withthis, or any other grand jury. Imprisoning me formy refusal toanswer questions only subjects me toadditional punishment formy repeatedly-stated ethical objections tothe grand jury system," the statement reads.

"The grand jury's questions pertained todisclosures fromnine years ago, and took place six years afteran in-depth computer forensics case, inwhich I testified foralmost a full day aboutthese events. I stand bymy previous public testimony."

Manning went onto note that she "will not participate ina secret process that I morally object to, particularly one that has been historically used toentrap and persecute activists forprotected political speech."

The whistleblower's statement came aftershe was arrested Friday when a federal judge found her incontempt ofcourt forrefusing torespond toany and all questions beforea grand jury.

Moira Meltzer-Cohen, Manning's attorney, told reporters outsidea federal courthouse inVirginia that her client can be held forthe term ofthe grand jury, noting that Manning's detainment can't last more than18 months.

However, when asked whether Manning would be held forthe full 18-month period, Meltzer-Cohen said that "we are not there yet."

"As everybody knows, Chelsea has tremendous courage," the attorney said. "Our primary concern atthis point is her health while she is confined, and we will be paying close attention."

Manning appeared Wednesday beforea grand jury atthe US District Court forthe Eastern District ofVirginia, butrefused toanswer questions, citing the First, Fourth and Sixth Amendments ofthe US Constitution, Sputnik previously reported.

"The court's decision toimprison Chelsea Manning forrefusing tocomply witha grand jury is pointless, punitive, and cruel," a statement fromManning's Support Committee reads.

"It is no secret that members ofthe current administration have openly expressed their hatred forChelsea. Donald Trump himself has tweeted abouthis desire toundo Barack Obama's commutation and put Chelsea back injail. We reject the logic that Chelsea should comply and answer questions regarding events forwhich she has already provided ample testimony, and we condemn the government's punitive efforts toback her intoa corner."

According toLaw & Crime, the case that Manning's testimony was requested foris being handled bythe US Attorney's Office forthe Eastern District ofVirginia, the very same US attorney's office that previously accidentally pasted language referring topossible criminal charges againstWikiLeaks founder Julian Assange intolegal documents abouta separate case. Although the office did own upto the mistake, it did not confirm or deny whether charges were going tobe filed againstAssange, who is currently staying put insidethe Ecuadorian embassy inLondon outof fear ofbeing extradited tothe US.

Ann Wright, a former US State Department official who resigned inprotest ofthe invasion ofIraq, told Radio Sputnik's Loud & Clearon Friday that she was "horrified" tolearn ofManning's arrest. She also indicated that any information regarding Manning's knowledge ofthe 2010 disclosures were already detailed ingovernment records.

In response tothe latest development, friends and associates ofManning have created a fund tohelp cover any ofher legal costs.

Manning was previously sentenced to35 years inprison forhanding overinternal documents toWikiLeaks. Her sentence was commuted bythen-US President Barack Obama in2017 asone ofhis last official acts. She served seven years behindbars.

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