Osama bin Laden pictures, video request from conservative Judicial Watch denied by judge

Osama bin Laden gestures in this frame grab from the Saudi-owned television network Middle East Broadcasting Center during the April 17, 2002, broadcast of an undated videotape. / AFP/Getty Images

(AP) WASHINGTON - A federal judge Thursday denied a request to release photos and video taken of Osama bin Laden during and after a raid in which the terrorist leader was killed by U.S. commandos last year.

"The court declines plaintiff's invitation to substitute its own judgment about the national-security risks inherent in releasing these records for that of the executive-branch officials who determined that they should be classified," wrote U.S. District Judge James E. Boasberg in rejecting a lawsuit filed by Judicial Watch, a conservative watchdog group.

The group, which had sought the records under the Freedom of Information Act, filed an appeal on Thursday.

Special Section: The Killing of Osama Bin Laden
Osama bin Laden's family leaving Pakistan
U.S. on watch ahead of bin Laden anniversary

Boasberg said that the Defense Department didn't turn up anything responsive to the FOIA, while the CIA found 52 responsive records. The agency withheld all of them, citing exemptions for classified materials and information specifically exempted by other laws.

Judicial Watch had sued both agencies after they said they would be unable to process the FOIA requests within the time permitted by law. The agencies finished processing the requests after the lawsuit was filed.

"A picture may be worth a thousand words. And perhaps moving pictures bear an even higher value," wrote Boasberg, an appointee of President Obama. "Yet, in this case, verbal descriptions of the death and burial of Osama Bin Laden will have to suffice, for this court will not order the release of anything more."

(Below, watch the first of President Obama's three-part interview with CBS' "60 Minutes" last year, in which Mr. Obama talks about the pictures of Osama bin Laden)

President Obama on the raid that killed bin Laden
Video: Part 2, Killing bin Laden, the president's story
Video: Part 3, Killing bin Laden, the president's story

In court papers, the Justice Department had said that the images of the deceased bin Laden are classified and are being withheld from the public to avoid inciting violence against Americans overseas and compromising secret systems and techniques used by the CIA and the military.

John Bennett, director of the CIA's National Clandestine Service, said in a declaration included in the court papers that many of the photos and video recordings are "quite graphic, as they depict the fatal bullet wound to (bin Laden) and other similarly gruesome images of his corpse." Images were taken of bin Laden's body at the Abbottabad compound, where he was killed by a Navy SEAL team, and during his burial at sea from the USS Carl Vinson, Bennett said.

Boasberg said he was "mindful that many members of the public would likely desire to see" the images.

"In the end, while this may not be the result plaintiff or certain members of the public would prefer, the CIA's explanation of the threat to our national security that the release of these records could cause passes muster," he wrote.

[AOCGUY]

What is it about these self-proclaimed partiots that makes them want to risk the lives of our military so they can satisfy some grusome desire to see pictures of dead people?

[hypnotoad72]

If a Republican (in name or in action) was president, would this same group throw such a hissy fit?

That's all I give a rat about right now, and chances are they would NOT be so upset.

[goldenCindy]

They want to see them cause they are phony. Bin Laden's been dead for about 10 years! What a freakin' joke!

[thechooch1]

goldenCindy so according to you, those up to date videos he made he did from the grave?

[Bojax39]

by thechooch1: "goldenCindy so according to you, those up to date videos he made he did from the grave?"

I believe goldenCindy is drawing a parallel to Emmanuel Goldstein in George Orwell's book 1984. In that book the character it an artifice of propaganda.

"Goldstein's persona as an enemy of the state serves to distract, unite and focus the anger of the people of Oceania. Ostensibly, Goldstein serves an important role as both a convenient scapegoat for the totalitarian regime in 1984, and justifying reason for more military buildup, surveillance and elimination of civil liberties."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emmanuel_Goldstein

I think bin Laden did in fact represent a definite threat to the western world and did actually die last year. But the similarities in how the public was encouraged to perceive him are so close to Goldstein's role in the book I can see why some would think along those lines.

[nottblu]

The leftwing media like the L.A. Times shows pictures of our GI's with body parts of the enemy, urinating on the enemy, posing with the dead, all to inflame the enemy and move public opinion against the war but I guess simply showing the world's top terrorist dead is too much! Anyone see a double standard?

[thechooch1]

nottblu the "leftwing" media is owned by the likes of Rupert Murdock. Way far to the right. You do make a good argument for not releasing the photos though.

[nottblu]

thechooch, if you are unable to understand that the L.A. Times, New York Times, Washingtom post, all news orgs that have published pictures or "leaked" info that put our troops in a negative lite are not left politically then any firther discussion is a complete waste of time, ok?

[sonofhaig]

To heck with the photos........ I want to see the video. Make it a Blu-ray box set and run down our debt. with it. Right? Right? Anyone Anyone?

[knucklecheese]

If anyone actually BELIEVES this man is dead, let me know. I've got some nice beachfront property in Kansas to sell 'em. We didn't kill BinLaden! We still haven't even found him. I seriously doubt he's even dead. The whole thing is a hoax. If we killed him, the proof would be made available.

[watkinsjr2000]

I assume you consider the Apollo moon missions a hoax as well.

[tryreading]

Bin Laden's death was broadcast all over the world. If he isn't dead, why hasn't he been seen since? Wouldn't it make sense that Bin Laden himself, in an attempt to make the US look stupid, would put a video of himself out to prove he is alive and our government just made his death up? Or do you suggest that Bin Laden is also in on it with Obama to fake his own death to do what? Make the US look good? Get Obama re-elected? What? I like a good conspiracy as much as the next guy, but it should at least make sense.

[Irby32]

Someday hopefully we get to see it!

[AOCGUY]

I don't know who is possession of these photos, but if it was me they would be destroyed as soon as possible. They are of no value other than propaganda that could result in getting more Americans killed.

[mryoubrian]

Amen!

I will sacrifice my own personal, selfish curiosity to keep our people overseas safe. Releasing the photos does no one any good.

[thechooch1]

Just what good would releasing these pictures and videos accomplish?

[mryoubrian]

Precisely what these idiots don't get.

We still have an American soldier being held prisoner and we are trying to bring him home to his family safe and sound. We also have Americans being held in Iran, Cuba and Asia right now. Let's not throw gasoline on the fire.