WikiLeaks Founder Praises Young American Soldier as "Unparalleled Hero"

Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, has publicly praised Bradley Manning, a 23-year-old US Army intelligence analyst, as an "unparalleled hero" for allegedly passing classified US documents to the whistleblowing organization. During an online Q&A session, Mr. Assange commended Manning without confirming whether he was the source of the leaks, which have been ongoing since April. The leaks, which have been disclosed by WikiLeaks, consist of over 250,000 classified US diplomatic cables.

Key Takeaways:

• Julian Assange praised Bradley Manning, a 23-year-old US Army intelligence analyst, as an "unparalleled hero" for allegedly passing classified US documents to WikiLeaks.
• Manning is suspected of mishandling and leaking classified data, putting American national security at risk, and was charged by the US Army in July.
• Manning grew up in Oklahoma in the US but moved to live with his mother in Wales when his parents split up in his early teens.
• He became a pupil at Tasker Milward secondary school in Haverfordwest.
• WikiLeaks' actions since April have been dictated by moves of "abusive elements of the US government."
• Bradley Manning is the alleged source behind some of WikiLeaks' recent disclosures, which have consisted of over 250,000 classified US diplomatic cables.

Statistics:

• Over 250,000 classified US diplomatic cables have been leaked by WikiLeaks.
• The leaks began on April, as stated by Julian Assange.
• Bradley Manning is 23 years old.
• The US Army charged Manning in July for mishandling and leaking classified data.

Sources:

• Global cyberwar as Wikileaks fights to stay online - Page 22.