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At the start of Pte Manning’s court martial, a prosecutor said Osama Bin Laden had received leaked information.

But defence lawyers said Pte Manning, 25, was young and naive when he shared the files with the anti-secrecy site.

He has not denied his role in the leak, and faces up to life in prison if convicted of aiding the enemy.

Earlier this year, Pte Manning pleaded guilty to 10 of the 22 charges against him related to the leaks, but not to the most serious charge.

The Manning-Wikileaks case is considered the largest-ever leak of secret US government documents. Prosecutors say the disclosures harmed US national interests, while Pte Manning’s supporters say he is a whistle-blowing hero.

In opening statements on Monday at a military courtroom in Fort Meade, Maryland, prosecutor Capt Joe Morrow called the case an example of what happened “when arrogance meets access”.

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