Chelsea Manning Receives 14 Days in Solitary Confinement for Suicide Attempt

By Derrick Broze

Whistleblower Chelsea Manning has been sentenced to 14 days in solitary confinement after a suicide attempt.

On Thursday, a prison disciplinary board decided to punish imprisoned whistleblower Chelsea Manning with 14 days of solitary confinement for charges related to her suicide attempt in July, and possession of an unmarked book in her cell. Fight For The Future, a digital rights group that has supported Manning since incarceration, called the decision “the latest example of the U.S. government’s campaign of harassment and mistreatment of Chelsea, who has been incarcerated in all male military facilities for 6 years.”

“The term for this status is ‘disciplinary segregation’,” said Manning, in a statement released by Fight for the Future. “There is no set date set for this to start. After I receive the formal board results in writing, I have 15 days to appeal. I expect to get them in the next few days.

Manning was found guilty of a “conduct which threatens” charge which comes in response to the suicide attempt. Manning was also punished for “interfering with the good order, safety, and running of the facility” due to being hospitalized from the attempt. Additionally, she was found guilty of contraband be possessing a copy of Hacker, Hoaxer, Whistleblower, Spy by Gabriella Coleman.

Manning is serving 35 years in Fort Leavenworth prison in Kansas for leaking massive amounts of secret U.S. government documents about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2009, Manning was a military analyst fighting in the War in Iraq. Manning uncovered evidence of human rights violations being committed by the U.S. and allied soldiers.

In response to the violence, Manning collected 750,000 files and sent them to WikiLeaks.  The leak included the infamous Collateral Murder video, which showed a U.S. Apache helicopter gunning down two Reuters journalists in Baghdad. The helicopter also fired upon children and adults who came to render aid to the victims. The U.S. originally denied any knowledge of the deaths.

On July 25, 2010, WikiLeaks, The New York Times, The Guardian, and Der Spiegel began publishing the documents that became known as the Afghan War logs, These were followed by the October 22nd release of 391,832 classified military reports known as the Iraq War logs. In February 2013, Manning would plead guilty to the leaks and on August 21 she was sentenced to 35 years by a military tribunal. Manning is appealing the decision hoping for a reduction to 10 years.

Since being sentenced Manning has fought for treatment of gender dysphoria disorder, but the U.S. military has refused. However, Manning won a victory recently when the military relented and announced that would allow Manning to receive gender transition surgery. The continued abuse and mistreatment of Manning is another reminder that the War on Whistleblowers continues under the Obama Administration and will likely continue no matter what puppet is selected come November 8.

(Derrick Broze interviews Chelsea Manning’s lawyer immediately following the 35 year sentence)

Statement from Chelsea Manning following solitary confinement ruling:

“I presented evidence and was allowed to question witnesses through the board president. The hearing lasted four hours. There was a break for lunch.

I waited nervously for the board to vote. I received the decision after 30 minutes.

I was acquitted of the “Resisting The Force Cell Move Team” charge.

I was found guilty of the “Conduct Which Threatens” charge. This charge was for the suicide attempt.

I was found guilty of the “Prohibited Property” charge, which was for an unmarked copy of “Hacker, Hoaxer, Whistleblower, Spy,” by Gabriella Coleman.

My punishment is 14 days in solitary confinement. 7 of those days are “suspended.” If I get in trouble in the next six months, those seven days will come back.

The term for this status is “disciplinary segregation.”

There is no set date set for this to start. After I receive the formal board results in writing, I have 15 days to appeal. I expect to get them in the next few days.

I am feeling hurt. I am feeling lonely. I am embarrassed by the decision. I don’t know how to explain it.

I am touched by your warm messages of love and support. This comforts me in my time of need.”

Derrick Broze is an investigative journalist and liberty activist. He is the Lead Investigative Reporter for ActivistPost.com and the founder of the TheConsciousResistance.com. Follow him on Twitter. Derrick is the author of three books: The Conscious Resistance: Reflections on Anarchy and Spirituality and Finding Freedom in an Age of Confusion, Vol. 1 and Finding Freedom in an Age of Confusion, Vol. 2

Derrick is available for interviews. Please contact [email protected]

This article may be freely reposted in part or in full with author attribution and source link.

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