Daniel Ellsberg, one of America's most notorious whistleblowers. He was responsible for leaking Pentagon documents to the media in the early 1970s. He said it was unfortunate that Bradley Manning was sentenced to 35 years in prison.
In an interview with the Huffington Post, Ellsberg said that while 35 years in prison is considered the minimum sentence (the original sentence with a maximum sentence of 136 years was reduced to 90 years while the prosecution requested at least 60 years), it is still too much.
Ellsberg was sentenced to 115 years in prison, but the case was dismissed using a law amendment passed during the Nixon presidency.
Ellsberg also said he fears the US will become a police state, adding that he has already seen it happen.
“And I completely agree with Edward Snowden. The prospect of murder, imprisonment or a life in exile – it is worth more than restoring our freedom and making us a democratic country,” said the former treason convict Mr. Ellsberg.
