A verdict is expected today in the trial of US soldier Bradley Manning, who faces life imprisonment for leaking a massive trove of secret US government files to WikiLeaks.

US military judge Denise Lind plans to issue her judgment at 1700 GMT.

Manning was serving as an intelligence analyst in Iraq when he sent WikiLeaks a vast cache of secret diplomatic cables and classified military reports from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The 25-year-old has admitted to leaking some 700,000 documents, pleading guilty to 10 lesser charges, including espionage and computer fraud, which could carry a prison sentence of up to 20 years.

Manning denies 'aiding the enemy'

But Manning has denied other charges, including the most serious one -- that he knowingly helped enemies of the United States, most notably Osama bin Laden and Al-Qaeda.

If convicted of that charge of "aiding the enemy," he could spend the rest of his life in jail. But even without it, the other charges could add up to 154 years imprisonment. The sentencing phase of the trial could begin as early as Wednesday.

To find Manning guilty of "aiding the enemy," the judge must be convinced, beyond reasonable doubt, that the soldier knew the documents he leaked could end up in the hands of Al-Qaeda.

Supporters argue conviction would be a blow to press freedom

The prosecution insists Manning recklessly betrayed his uniform and his country by leaking documents he knew Al-Qaeda would see and use.

"He was not a troubled young soul, he was a determined soldier with the knowledge, ability and desire to harm the United States in its war effort," lead prosecutor Major Ashden Fein told the court.

"Your honor, he was not a whistleblower, he was a traitor."

Manning's supporters argue a conviction would be a huge blow for press freedoms in the United States and would deter future whistleblowers from exposing government wrongdoing.