UK Judge Won’t Release Afghanistan Footage

LONDON (AP) – A British judge has rejected requests to release video showing the alleged execution of an Afghan by U.K. soldiers, saying there was a real risk the footage could be used for terrorist propaganda and put British military personnel at risk.

The footage – recorded by a helmet-mounted camera and allegedly showing a soldier shooting an injured Afghan insurgent in the chest – was shown at a court martial last week for Royal Marines charged with the Afghan’s murder. Several media organizations – including Guardian News and Media and Times Newspapers – had applied for the footage to be released. The Ministry of Defense objected. In a written ruling Monday, Judge Advocate General Jeff Blackett said he erred “on the side of safety” in rejecting the application.