WikiLeaks informant to face death penalty?

PanARMENIAN.Net - A U.S. Army analyst suspected of leaking government secrets will face a military court on December 16, his lawyer says.

Bradley Manning faces charges of obtaining and distributing government secrets - which he allegedly leaked to the anti-secrecy website Wikileaks.

The Article 32 hearing will determine whether Mr. Manning is to stand trial and is the first opportunity for his defense team to present their case.

Mr. Manning was arrested in Iraq in May 2010 and is held in military custody. During the Article 32 hearing, which is similar to a pre-trial hearing, both prosecuting and defense lawyers will make their initial cases and are permitted to cross-examine witnesses.

Proceedings are expected to last around five days, after which recommendations will be made to a military general, who will decide whether to proceed to a full trial, according to his lawyer, David Coombs.

Mr. Manning has also been charged with "aiding the enemy", a charge that could carry the death penalty. However, reports say prosecutors will only seek a prison sentence, BBC reported.