Abuse photo-release issue in court; British paper says they show rape

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration asked a federal appeals court Thursday to halt the release of images of detainee abuse, saying the photos could incite more violence in Pakistan, Iraq and Afghanistan.

The court papers filed in New York cite two partially secret statements from two top U.S. generals, David Petraeus and Ray Odierno.

The administration had planned to release the photos until President Obama reversed the decision this month, saying their release would endanger U.S. troops serving in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Disseminating the photos poses "a clear and grave risk of inciting violence and riots against American and coalition forces, as well as civilian personnel, serving in Iraq and Afghanistan," according to the motion filed with the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court.

The photos were ordered released as part of a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit brought by the ACLU.

Meanwhile, the Defense Department on Thursday denied a British newspaper report that some of the images at issue showed U.S. personnel sexually assaulting detainees. The Daily Telegraph had reported that a retired U.S. general, Maj. Gen. Antonio Taguba, said graphic images of rape and torture are among the pictures.