WikiLeaks whistleblower Chelsea Manning was sentenced Friday to solitary confinement after a suicide attempt.
Government officials gave Manning 14 days solitary confinement, with seven days suspended, for charges related to the July incident and possessing a banned book.
The incident occurred after the former soldier demanded the military pay for medical costs associated with Manning’s diagnosed gender dysphoria. Manning, who was previously known by Chelsea’s birth name Bradley, has been incarcerated in all-male facilities since leaking hundreds of thousands of sensitive documents to WikiLeaks.
Following Manning’s five-day hunger strike last week, the government agreed to pay for gender reassignment surgery.
A three-member disciplinary board at the Fort Leavenworth, Kan., military prison where Manning is being held held the hearing before voting, in a decision that Manning described as embarrassing and hurtful.
“I am feeling hurt. I am feeling lonely. I am embarrassed by the decision. I don’t know how to explain it,” Manning said in a statement after the decision.
Manning was acquitted of the charge that Manning resisted responders to the suicide attempt, but was found guilty of “conduct which threatens” and the prohibited property charge. Manning said the banned book was an unmarked copy of Hacker, Hoaxer, Whistleblower, Spy, by Gabriella Coleman.
“There is no set date set for this to start,” Manning said of the sentence. “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 thanked the public for their messages of support.
“I am touched by your warm messages of love and support. This comforts me in my time of need.”
