The lawyer representing the US army private accused of leaking classified information to WikiLeaks says his client's treatment is a stain on American history.

David Coombs has spoken publicly for the first time about the case against Private Bradley Manning, whose court martial is due to start in March.

Two-and-a-half years since he was arrested in Iraq, where he had been working as an intelligence analyst, the 24-year-old's case still has not come to fruition.

Pre-trial hearings are bogged down in argument about the way Manning was treated in detention during his nine months at Quantico marine base in Virginia, and before that in Kuwait.

In hearings at the Fort Meade military base last week, Manning spoke publicly for the first time, telling how he was made to sleep naked and admitting he had suicidal thoughts, believing he would die in detention.

His lawyer contends Manning's treatment has been so harsh, the whole prosecution should be thrown out.

"Brad's treatment at Quantico will forever be etched in our nation's history as a disgraceful moment in time," Mr Coombs said.

"The treatment was not only stupid and counterproductive, it was criminal."

Mr Coombs' decision to speak publicly now is part thank-you to supporters and part rallying cry in an effort to raise money for the defence to come.

Manning faces 22 charges. The most serious - aiding the enemy - carries a penalty of life in prison.

"As far as his mental state, or how he is - being, I guess, of his mind today, I can tell you that he is very excited about having his case go forward and it's in the process now. It's been a long time," Mr Coombs said.

Assange prelude?

Manning's case is seen by some as a prelude to a possible pursuit by the US government of the WikiLeaks founder, Julian Assange.

Mr Assange's US lawyer, Michael Ratner, has been keeping a close eye on the Manning proceedings.

"I would say that it was devastating, that the case against the United States was just awful in terms of what happened to Bradley Manning," he said.

"It basically reminds me of the Rumsfeld techniques that were used on the Guantanamo people - stripping, lights, stress positions, and solitary."

As for Manning, Mr Coombs says he has had the chance to discuss the future with his client.

"He told me that his dream would be to go to college, go into public service and perhaps one day run for public office," he said.

"I asked Brad why he would want to do that and he said, 'I want to make a difference. I want to make a difference in this world'."