US Military prosecutors say Pfc. Bradley Manning didn’t just give embarrassing material to “Wikileaks”, those secrets went straight into the hands of America’s worst enemies such as Osama bin Laden.

But in the defense’s opening statement on the first day of Bradley Manning’s court-martial, attorney David Coombs said Manning was motivated by his “humanism” and a desire to show the world what value the US military placed on human life in Afghanistan and Iraq.

One of the items leaked by manning was the video of a US helicopter attacking Iraqi civilians in 2007, killing several people including a Reuters News Agency photographer.

Prosecutors claimed Manning craved notoriety.  The Defense didn't address whether the material actually did get into bin Laden's hands.

Manning already admitted to pleaded guilty earlier this year to charges that could bring 20 years behind bars.  But the military pressed ahead with a court-martial on more serious charges, including aiding the enemy, which carries a potential life sentence.