WikiLeaks charges against Manning stand

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FORT MEADE, Md., April 25 (UPI) -- The charges against a U.S. soldier accused in a massive leak of classified military and State Department documents will stand, a judge ruled Wednesday.

During a hearing at Fort Meade in Maryland, the military judge, Col. Denise Lind, rejected a request by lawyers for Pfc. Bradley Manning that she dismiss all charges against him because of "widespread discovery violations" by military prosecutors, CNN reported.

Manning's trial on charges of aiding the enemy, wrongfully causing intelligence to be posted on the Internet, transmitting national defense information, and theft of public property or records was set for Sept. 21. If found guilty, Manning could be sent to prison for the rest of his life.

The judge instructed prosecutors to deliver to her reports compiled by the Defense Intelligence Agency, the CIA, the State Department and the Justice Department assessing any damage caused by the release of hundreds of thousands of classified documents by WikiLeaks, which prosecutors allege were provided by Manning.

Lind said she would review the reports and then rule whether Manning's attorneys can see them.

The CIA was granted a delay until May 2 to respond to the request, CNN said. The State Department is preparing a document showing why it doesn't have to provide damage assessments under the court's rules, the report said.

It hasn't been decided yet whether Manning's trial will be before a military judge, a panel of senior officers or a panel that includes one-third enlisted non-commissioned officers, CNN said.