A federal judge ruled today that graphic pictures of detainee abuse at Iraqs Abu Ghraib prison must be released over government claims that they could damage Americas image. Last year a Republican senator conceded that they contained scenes of rape and murder and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld said they included acts that were blatantly sadistic. U.S. District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein ordered the release of certain pictures in a 50-page decision that said terrorists in Iraq and Afghanistan have proven they do not need pretexts for their barbarism. The ACLU has sought the release of 87 photographs and four videotapes taken at the prison as part of an October 2003 lawsuit demanding information on the treatment of detainees in U.S. custody and the transfer of prisoners to countries known to use torture. Gen. John Abizaid, commander of U.S. Central Command, said Thursday that releasing the photos would hinder his work against terrorism. When we continue to pick at the wound and show the pictures over and over again it just creates the image--a false image--like this is the sort of stuff that is happening anew, and its not, Abizaid said. The judge said, however, that the freedoms that we champion are as important to our success in Iraq and Afghanistan as the guns and missiles with which our troops are armed. An ACLU release this afternoon said it was getting 70 photos and three video tapes. It also said that the government is being given 20 days to appeal. What is shown on the photographs and videos from Abu Ghraib prison that the Pentagon has blocked from release? One clue: Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld told Congress last year, after viewing a large cache of unreleased images, I mean, I looked at them last night, and theyre hard to believe. They show acts that can only be described as blatantly sadistic, cruel and inhumane, he added. https://youtube/watch?v=-57RhzL7Jjs
Posted on: Sat, 20 Dec 2014 13:37:19 +0000
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