US WikiLeaks probe gathers pace with new hearing

WASHINGTON (AFP) – US prosecutors will convene a hearing on the WikiLeaks document dump case on Wednesday, in a sign that they have not given up bringing charges against the website’s founder Julian Assange.

A federal grand jury is scheduled to take sworn testimony from a supporter of Bradley Manning, the US soldier accused of leaking tens of thousands of documents to the whistle-blower website, a committee supporting Manning said.

WikiLeaks also confirmed the grand jury hearing Wednesday in Alexandria, Virginia.

Grand juries, which are empanelled to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to bring charges in a case, typically meet in secret unless a witness discloses that he or she has been summoned to testify.

Although the hearing does not mean that charges against Assange are imminent, it is a strong indication that the US administration, as promised, continues to pursue that goal.

It opened a criminal investigation against Assange in July 2010, following a massive document dump by his website that continues to roil US relations with countries around the world.

One possible avenue open to prosecutors is to show that Assange personally asked Manning, a US army private, to obtain confidential documents.

Manning’s support group said David House, a friend of the imprisoned soldier, and several other people from the Boston area “have been ordered to testify before a federal grand jury.”

“House is scheduled to appear tomorrow, Wednesday morning, June 15th,” it said.

Manning is awaiting a possible court martial on charges that include “aiding the enemy,” which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.

Assange, 39, is under house arrest in Britain, awaiting trial on sexual assault and molestation charges in Sweden.

He has denied knowing the source of the leaks, but has defended Manning as a victim of US government mistreatment.

Manning’s supporters said they planned to hold a demonstration at the site of Wednesday’s hearing.

“The Justice Department’s unprecedented crackdown, not only on accused whistle-blowers, but also their friends and supporters, stems from the same impulse to silence legitimate dissent that has become a hallmark of corrupt governments the world over,” said Kevin Zeese, an attorney with the Bradley Manning Support Network.

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