Wikileaks’ Manning apologizes, cross-dressing photo appears

US Army private Bradley Manning apologizes for leaking secret intelligence files to WikiLeaks. At a sentencing hearing, Manning says, “I’m sorry that my actions have hurt people and have hurt the United States.” The 25-year-old soldier faces up to 90 years in prison for his offenses, which include espionage and computer fraud. He was convicted last month for his massive leak of classified US battlefield reports and diplomatic cables. Some consider Manning a whistleblower lifting the lid on America’s foreign policy. But the US government says he put his fellow soldiers in danger when he handed over 700,000 documents while deployed in Iraq. Manning’s defense team argued his superiors ignored signs of his emotional distress and should never have deployed him to Iraq. At the hearing, experts say Manning struggled over his sexual identity in a “hostile” military environment. As part of the trial, his lawyers also release a photograph showing Manning in a blonde wig and wearing makeup. Manning’s therapist says the young soldier attached the photo to an email where he discussed his gender identity.

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