US whistleblower Chelsea Manning, 28, attempted suicide for the second time in less than six months after she was sentenced to 14 days solitary confinement, of which seven days were suspended. She is currently serving a 35-year sentence at the maximum-security US Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth for espionage.
She was sentenced to solitary confinement by the board of US Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth for attempting to commit suicide in July and possessing an unmarked book. The transgender former soldier had also gone on a hunger strike in July to protest against not being given the healthcare she needs -- medically recommended treatment for gender dysphoria.
She is being kept in an all-male prison facility despite going through gender change. She had been demanding medicines as well.
After public protests and 5-day hunger strike she was given the medical treatment in July.
She has previously been threatened with solitary confinement for "minor infractions," including possession of mislabelled general research materials that Chelsea used for article writing and an expired tube of toothpaste, read a website advocating her release.
"I was acquitted of the 'Resisting The Force Cell Move Team' charge. I was found guilty of the 'Conduct Which Threaten'" 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," she had said after being sentenced to solitary confinement in October.
Many noted celebrities have also urged the US government to release Manning, whose previous name was Bradley Edward Manning.
Manning was sentenced in 2013 for leaking a massive amount of sensitive military and diplomatic documents to WikiLeaks.
- WikiLeaks source Chelsea Manning begins hunger strike demanding 'dignity, respect, and humanity'
- Wikileaks' Julian Assange to be questioned inside Ecuador embassy in London
