Whistleblower Manning convicted of espionage

A military judge yesterday acquitted former US intelligence analyst Bradley Manning of the most serious charge against him, aiding the enemy, but convicted him of espionage, theft and computer fraud charges for giving thousands of classified secrets to the anti-secrecy site WikiLeaks.

The judge deliberated for about 16 hours over three days before reaching her decision in a case that drew worldwide attention.

Supporters hailed Manning as a whistleblower. The US government called him an anarchist computer hacker and attention-seeking traitor.