The mistreatment Bradley Manning experienced at the US Marine Corps Brig in Quantico, Virginia "should shock the conscience of this court," Manning's lawyer said Thursday at a pre-trial hearing.

24-year-old Manning, who faces 22 charges, was held in solitary confinement from July 2010 to April 2011.

David Coombs, Manning's lawyer, said Manning's treatment was "unlawful," and that the blanket he had there was basically "a large piece of sand paper."

On Thursday the judge also denied a request from the defense to have United Nations torture investigator Juan Mendez testify, saying it was irrelevant as Mendez had not visited Manning at Quantico. Mendez had, in fact, attempted to but was refused an unmonitored visit. In a 14-month investigation into the Manning, Mendez accused the U.S. government of harsh treatment of Bradley Manning that may amount to torture.