WikiLeaks expects Bradley Manning to appeal ‘dangerous’ verdict

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange on Tuesday called US soldier Bradley Manning a “hero” and said he expected him to appeal after a military judge convicted him of espionage.

Assange said the verdict had set a “dangerous precedent” and was an example of “national security extremism” from the Obama administration.

He told journalists at a small press conference in London’s Ecuadorian embassy that he “expects that the case will be appealed”.

“Bradley Manning’s alleged disclosures have exposed war crimes, sparked revolutions and induced democratic reforms,” he argued.

“He is the most important journalistic source the world has ever seen.”

London-based rights group Amnesty International on Tuesday accused the US of “a serious overreach” in its unsuccessful pursuit of charges of “aiding the enemy”.