On Thursday, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange responded to the new charges against U.S. Army Private Bradley Manning, who has been accused of illegally downloading and disseminating classified documents.

Julian Assange: “They’re certainly trying to set an example. You know, one of these charges carries with it the death penalty, and that’s a very serious matter. And it will also be a serious matter if that charge is extended from Bradley Manning to other people and to us as publishers of the alleged material.”