The trials of Private Bradley Manning are far from over. Convicted of espionage, stealing government property and other offences, Manning now faces a potential maximum penalty of 136 years in prison for passing US military and diplomatic secrets to WikiLeaks.

However, the precise term of imprisonment will be determined through a lengthy sentencing process that will begin on Thursday.

Over several more weeks of hearings US military prosecutors will present evidence on the damage to American national security and diplomacy allegedly caused by Manning's leaks.

This will include testimony from 13 witnesses from the Departments of Defense and State and the US intelligence community, much of which will be given in secret.