Pentagon denies mistreating leak suspect

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Pentagon is denying reports that the Army private suspected of passing classified information to WikiLeaks is being mistreated at the Marine brig at Quantico, Va., while awaiting possible court martial.

Jeff Paterson, director of the Oakland-based Courage to Resist project, said Friday that visitors report that Pfc. Bradley Manning generally spends at least 23 hours a day alone in a cell no larger than about 64 square feet. Paterson said his group considers this treatment a form of punishment prior to conviction.

Defense Department spokesman Col. Dave Lapan said Friday that Manning has the same privileges as all other prisoners held in what the military calls "maximum custody." He said Manning is in a standard single-person cell and gets exercise, recreation, access to newspapers and visitors.