Government presses appeal on detainee photos

[unhappycamper]

Government presses appeal on detainee photos
The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Nov 7, 2008 20:37:55 EST

NEW YORK — The government has asked a federal appeals court to reconsider its order to release 21 pictures of detainees in Iraq and Afghanistan, saying it could jeopardize the safety of U.S. troops.

Government lawyers said in papers made public Friday that the issue was of “exceptional importance.”

In September, a three-judge panel of the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ordered the U.S. to give the pictures to the American Civil Liberties Union. Now the government has asked all 12 judges on the court to hear its case.

In the court papers, the government said release of the pictures would pose a grave risk of inciting violence and riots against American troops and coalition forces.

The government said its chief objection to the ruling was the finding that it had to be specific about the potential threat. Nevertheless, it was prepared to prove that release of the photos could endanger soldiers’ lives, the government said.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/11/AP_detaineeabusephotos110708/%2e