Via CBS News World Watch, “Marines Replace Commander in Charge of Detention of Bradley Manning, Accused WikiLeaker“:
One week ago, David Coombs, the main lawyer for accused WikiLeaks document leaker Bradley Manning, filed a complaint with military officials against Quantico Base Commander James Averhart. Coombs accused Averhart of abusing his “discretion” by arbitrarily choosing harsh – some have said tortuous – confinement conditions for Manning, who is housed in the Quantico brig.
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On Wednesday, the Marines replaced Averhart as Quantico’s commander with Chief Warrant Officer Denise Barnes, CNN reports.
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A base spokesman claims the complaint and Averhart’s removal are not related, and that the decision to replace Averhart was made back in October, CNN reports.
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Coombs has been struggling with Manning’s confinement and trial status for months now. Because Manning is being held under such harsh conditions without having been charged, Coombs has tried all manner of legal recourse, including filing a motion for Manning’s release, a motion to dismiss the trial because of its slow start, and even a request for a speedy trial last week.
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The office of Manfred Nowak, special rapporteur on torture in Geneva for the United Nations, received a complaint at the end of December from one of Manning’s supporters alleging conditions in the brig amount to torture, said a UN spokesperson. At the time of the complaint, Manning was under POI [Prevention of injury] watch, which is only slightly less harsh than suicide watch. Manning remains on POI watch to this day.
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The U.N. has begun investigating and could ask the United States to stop any violations it finds.
After another BJ post concerning Manning, a certain BJ commentor wrote:
Speaking of blegging and fund raising, any comments from the rest here on my suggestion that those actually interested in helping Bradley Manning do a fund raiser here like BJ has done for so many politicians and causes, and donate the money to Manning’s defense, instead of sitting around and bitching… ?
From what I can google, Courage to Resist is hosting the Bradley Manning Defense Fund:
2,706 individuals have donated a total $169,181! Another 596 supporters (including WikiLeaks) have given $58,799 directly to Bradley’s legal trust account. (Updated: 1pm PST Jan. 25, 2011)
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Bradley Manning’s total legal defense will cost about $115,000. We have transferred about $108,800 towards that expense so far (including direct contributions to the legal trust account), and we are committed to funding the total expense. The defense fund also supports international public outreach and activities.
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The Bradley Manning defense fund is hosted by Courage to Resist in collaboration with the Bradley Manning Support Network. At this point donations are primarily being routed for public education and support activities. The defense fund will contribute to the remaining legal fees as needed. For more information, check out the defense fund FAQ and the defense fund fiscal report (PDF), January 25, 2011.
Does anyone here have any further information about Courage to Resist? Any suggestions about other organizations that could use funds, or publicity, in regards to Manning’s defense?