A military judge Thursday declined to dismiss a key charge against the army private responsible for the largest leak of classified material in American history. The decision has significant implications for the future publication of secret government material, according to civil libertarians and press freedom advocates.

Judge Denise Lind decided to reject a defense motion to dismiss a government charge that Pfc. Bradley Manning "aided the enemy" when he turned over 700,000 military and diplomatic documents to the anti-secrecy group WikiLeaks because some of that material was read by al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden.

Lind cited as reasons for her decision the "accused's training and experience and preparation" and the volume of classified information disclosed to WikiLeaks. Those factors effectively buttressed the government's charge that Manning "knowingly provided information to the enemy," Lind decided.