WikiLeaks suspect Manning declines to enter plea

FORT MEADE: WikiLeaks suspect Bradley Manning declined to enter a plea at his arraignment Thursday on charges of turning over a massive cache of classified US documents to the secret-spilling site.

Manning, a 24-year-old US Army private, is charged with 22 counts in connection with one of the biggest intelligence breaches in US history.

The most serious charge - "aiding the enemy" - could send him to prison for life.

Dressed in an army uniform and flanked by his lawyers, Manning was mostly silent during the 45-minute arraignment at this sprawling army base outside of Washington.

He responded "Yes, your honor" when asked by military judge Denise Lind whether he understood his rights and the charges against him.

Manning deferred entering a plea, which he is not required to do until the start of the court-martial. He also declined to say whether he preferred to be tried before a single military judge or a military jury.

During the hearing, the judge asked attorneys for the prosecution and the defense when they wanted the trial to begin.

Army prosecutors opted for an August 3 start date but Manning's civilian attorney, David Coombs, asked for the court-martial to begin in June. (AFP)