FORT MEADE, Md. (AP) — An Army private charged in the biggest security breach in U.S. history has taken the stand at a military hearing about what he contends was needlessly harsh treatment at a Marine Corps brig.

Pfc. Bradley Manning testified Thursday at the pretrial hearing at Fort Meade.

Manning is trying to avoid trial in the WikiLeaks case. He argues he was punished enough when he was locked up alone in a small cell for nearly nine months at a brig in Quantico, Va., and had to sleep naked for several nights.

The military contends the treatment was proper, given Manning's classification then as a maximum-security detainee who posed a risk of injury to himself or others.

Earlier Thursday, the judge accepted the terms under which Manning would plead guilty to some charges.