US Army CID Implies WikiLeaks is a "Physical Threat," Under Investigation

Citing “an active investigation … in progress with an undetermined completion date,” the United States Army Criminal Investigation Division refuses further releases of that agency's WikiLeaks-related material. In contrast to two previous FOIA requests <here and here> which were promptly answered with released documents featuring limited redaction, this policy shift represents a wholesale end to WikiLeaks releases for the indeterminate future.

Possibly more interesting than the denial of records itself is that US Army CID invoked (b)(7)(f) as a justifying exemption. Under the (b)(7)(f) exemption, records can be withheld if their release “could reasonably be expected to endanger the life or physical safety of any individual.” With the use of the (b)(7)(f) exemption, US Army CID is implicitly stating that WikiLeaks members pose an active, physical threat to those investigating WikiLeaks and/or those cooperating with the investigation.

Army CID WikiLeaks Letter