Gates blocks Afghan, Iraq prisoner abuse photos

Washington: Defense Secretary Robert Gates has blocked the public release of 44 pictures of foreign detainees abused by their US captors, saying their release would endanger American soldiers.

The Obama administration filed a brief with the Supreme Court late Friday saying that Gates has invoked new powers blocking the release of the photos.

The American Civil Liberties Union had sued for the release of 21 color photographs showing prisoners in Afghanistan and Iraq being abused by Americans.

Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said the order covers all photographs from investigations related to the treatment of individuals captured or detained in military operations outside the United States between September 11, 2001, and January 22, 2009.