Thaindian News

Washington, Apr.14 (ANI): Susan Manning, the mother of Bradley Manning, the US soldier accused of leaking confidential data to WikiLeaks, has called for British Foreign Secretary William Hague to visit her son in the military prison to check on his physical and mental health, which she claims has deteriorated.

In a letter to Hague, Susan said she had visited her son at the Quantico Marine Base in Virginia in February, traveling with Bradley’s aunt and his uncle, who were not allowed to see Bradley.

“I was very distressed by seeing Bradley. Being in prison, and being held in the conditions, which he is, is having a damaging effect on him physically and mentally. I am worried that his condition is getting worse. I would like someone to visit him who can check on his conditions,” she wrote.

“If Bradley’s being a British national means that someone from the British embassy can visit him, then I would like to ask if you can make that happen. I do not believe that Bradley is in a position to be able to request this himself, so I am asking as his mother on his behalf,” she added.

Susan has also asked Hague for consular support on her own behalf.

“If I try [to] visit Bradley again, can someone from the British embassy help me and other members of Bradley’s family to deal with the US marine authorities and help with any other arrangements we have to make?” she asked.

Manning(23), has been in custody since last May in conditions that have provoked widespread criticism of the US military and government as he is reportedly held alone in a maximum security cell for 23 hours a day and stripped naked each night apart from a smock.

The Pentagon has denied that Manning is being kept in solitary confinement.

On April 4, Foreign Office Minister Henry Bellingham had condemned the conditions in which Manning was reportedly being held.

He said: “All people who are detained in custody deserve to be treated in detention according to the highest international standards, and we certainly expect nothing less from the United States.”
Manning is accused of leaking confidential data, including more than 250000 diplomatic cables, to WikiLeaks, on charges that include “aiding the enemy”, a capital crime. (ANI)