WASHINGTON, Feb. 6 (UPI) — The U.S. Department of Defense released 198 photographs depicting torture of military prisoners in Abu Ghraib.
The photos were released as part of a lawsuit by the American Civil Liberties Union in 2004 that requested 2,000 photos depicting alleged prisoner abuse in Iraq and Afghanistan be released to the public.
The photos show prisoners with their faces obscured and present close up shots of cuts, bruises and other legions sustained by the prisoners.
The ACLU said the photos released are more subdued than the 1,800 photos still detained by the Pentagon and could mislead the public about the true severity of what occurred.
U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein supported the release of less graphic photos like the one’s released on Friday, arguing against the government’s belief that the photos could endanger U.S. citizens and military personnel.
“I have reviewed some of these photographs, and I know that many of these photographs are relatively innocuous while others need more serious consideration,” he wrote in 2014.
“Even if some of the photographs could prompt backlash that would harm Americans, it may be the case that the innocuous documents could be disclosed without endangering citizens, armed forces or employees of the United States.”
A Pentagon spokesman said the photos released are from criminal investigations into misconduct allegations. Those investigations led to disciplinary action for 65 service members and the subsequent courts martial of 26 service members.
The ACLU pledged to continue to fight for the release of the remaining photos.
