Just in time for the Wiki-end: Chelsea Manning released from prison

Might be back inside soon

Chelsea Manning has been released from prison after 62 days for refusing to testify to an American grand jury investigating WikiLeaks.

The former US Army intelligence analyst was released because the grand jury's term had ended. But her lawyer said in a statement that she might be heading back to jail as soon as next week because she has been served with a second subpoena from another grand jury.

The statement said: "Unfortunately, even prior to her release, Chelsea was served with another subpoena. This means she is expected to appear before a different grand jury, on Thursday, May 16, 2019...

"It is therefore conceivable that she will once again be held in contempt of court, and be returned to the custody of the Alexandria Detention Center, possibly as soon as next Thursday, May 16.

"Chelsea will continue to refuse to answer questions, and will use every available legal defense to prove to District Judge (Anthony) Trenga that she has just cause for her refusal to give testimony."

Manning is represented by Moira Meltzer-Cohen, appellate attorney Vincent Ward, and local counsel Chris Leibig and Sandra Freeman.

Manning has stated in the past that she objects to the secrecy of the grand jury process and does not have "anything to contribute to this, or any other grand jury".

She received a record 35-year sentence for sending information to WikiLeaks in 2010. She served seven years before her sentence was commuted by then US President Barack Obama in 2017.

She celebrated her release with pizza and champagne.

A personal statement is "forthcoming", according to Twitter, presumably once the pizza is finished. ®