Cenk: 'It’s time to free Bradley Manning’

The Young Turks host Cenk Uygur felt Friday evening that it was time for the U.S. government to release U.S. Army Pfc. Bradley Manning from prison.

Nineteen months after being arrested, the trial for the Wikileaks information provider finally began on Friday. Manning is facing 22 charges, including "unauthorized release of half a million reports and cables" and "aiding the enemy."

If convicted of the latter charge, Manning could face even the death penalty, despite the U.S. government indicating that no one has been injured from the leaks or that the leaks were classified as top secret.

Between the questionable charges and the harsh treatment in jail he has received, Uygur thought it was time to let Manning go.

“He did our soldiers a world of good,” he said. “Time served is plenty enough time. Scooter Libby served no time and he betrayed a CIA agent. That caused real harm. Dick Cheney — no time. Karl Rove — no time. It’s time to free Bradley Manning.”

WATCH: Video from Current TV, which was broadcast on December 16, 2011.