Where are the torture photos from Abu Ghraib? I thought they were

[Southsideirish]

going to be released on the 30th?

[seriousstan]

1. The new date is the 22nd.

Sunday, June 19, 2005

Pentagon prepares to air more Abu Ghraib images

Federal judge asked to extend June 30 deadline to July 22

By ERIC ROSENBERG - Hearst Newspapers

WASHINGTON – The Pentagon is preparing to release another batch of photos showing prisoner abuse at the Abu Ghraib prison near Baghdad, a step that is likely to renew criticism of the U.S.

The digital photos are from the same batch amassed by Army Spc. Joseph Darby, who was based at Abu Ghraib. Darby turned the photos over to military investigators last year. Later, some photos showing naked Iraqi prisoners being forced to simulate sex acts were broadcast and published.

The ensuing controversy triggered wide criticism of U.S. policies at the prison.

To date, eight soldiers have pleaded guilty or been convicted at court-martial in the scandal.

A federal judge in New York on June 2 ordered the government to prepare to release the rest of the Darby photos in response to a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union under the Freedom of Information Act.

In issuing his order, U.S. District Court Judge Alvin Hellerstein of New York City gave the government until June 30 to get the photos ready by removing information in the pictures that might identify the victims. The judge said the photographs "are the best evidence the public can have of what occurred" at Abu Ghraib.

David Kelley, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, has asked Hellerstein for an extension - until July 22 - to get all the video and still pictures ready for release.

In a June 10 letter to Hellerstein, Kelley said the government would have the photographs ready by June 30. But "in order to address all of the responsive Darby images at one time," he requested that Hellerstein not order the release of any until the video processing is completed July 22.