Judge Holds Off on Hearing to Probe CIA Tape Destruction
A federal judge has for the time being declined to order a hearing during which the government would have to explain the destruction of CIA videotapes that show harsh interrogation of suspected al-Qaida operatives.
The request for the hearing was made to U.S. District Judge Henry H. Kennedy on behalf of Yemeni prisoners being held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. But Kennedy took the matter under advisement and said he would rule later, the New York Times reports. Kennedy is deciding whether the destruction of the tapes violates a previous order to preserve evidence.
Bush administration lawyers asked that Kennedy steer clear of ordering a hearing while Attorney General Michael Mukasey probes the destruction of the tapes. A lawyer for the detainees argued that the court ought to have a separate look at the issue.
“Plainly, the government wants only foxes guarding the henhouse,” David H. Remes, a lawyer for the detainees, maintained in a motion, the NYT reports.
In addition the Justice Department and congressional committees, the CIA’s inspector general’s office also is looking into the matter.
