Judge says Gitmo detainees must be asked for permission to release names News
Judge says Gitmo detainees must be asked for permission to release names

[JURIST] A federal judge has said that detainees held in the US terror suspect prison camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, must be asked for permission to have their names released before the government can release them to the Associated Press under a Freedom of Information Act request. Earlier this year the government released transcripts [AP materials] of Combatant Status Review Tribunal [US DOD factsheet] hearings for some 558 detainees, but originally redacted the names, citing concerns about privacy and potential retaliation rather than national security grounds. On Monday, US. District Judge Jed S. Rakoff directed the government to draft a one-page form giving detainees the option of authorizing release of their names to AP. He indicated he would approve a form by September 12 and directed the government's summary of responses be submitted by October 7. AP has more.