![Judge orders legal papers unsealed in controversy over detainee abuse photos](https://www.jurist.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/jurist-white-text.png)
[JURIST] Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein of the US District Court for the Southern District of New York [official website] has authorized the American Civil Liberties Union [advocacy website] to make public papers it filed on August 3 challenging the Pentagon claim that images of detainee abuse must not be released because they put US troops and officials at risk. The ACLU said the government was seeking to withhold the photos only "to avert adverse reaction," undermining the Freedom of Information Act. The papers [ACLU press release] were filed as part of an ongoing lawsuit by the ACLU to obtain the release of 87 photos and four videotapes taken by a reservist posted at Abu Ghraib [JURIST news archive]. Gen. Richard B. Myers said he believed that "riots, violence and attacks by insurgents will result" if the images were released to the public. Friday's New York Times has more.