FORT MEADE (United States), Nov 28: Supporters of an Army private charged in the biggest security breach in US history packed a military courtroom on Tuesday as his attorneys made the case he'd already been punished enough when he was locked up alone in a small cell for nine months and forced to sleep naked for several nights.

As the pre-trial hearing for Pfc. Bradley Manning began at Fort Meade near Baltimore, about two dozen Manning backers who'd held up signs of support outside the post went inside to watch the proceedings, many wearing black t-shirts with the word “Truth” in white lettering. The Army private is charged with spilling US secrets to the website WikiLeaks.

The US government claims the disclosures endangered lives and security. Manning supporters say the leaks exposed war crimes and triggered pro-democracy uprisings in the Middle East.

Military commanders involved in the confinement of Manning were to be questioned first at the proceedings, which are expected to last several days. Manning may be asked to testify. Manning's lawyers contend he was illegally punished by being locked up alone in a small cell for nearly nine months at the Marine Corps brig in Quantico, Virginia, where he had to sleep naked for several nights.

Judges can dismiss all charges if pre-trial punishment is particularly egregious, but that rarely happens.—AP