Government told to produce waterboarding info

updated 3:58 p.m. ET Sept. 3, 2008

NEW YORK - A federal judge has ruled in New York that the government must either produce memos on waterboarding and other harsh interrogation methods used by the CIA or explain why they should be kept secret.

U.S. District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein says the memos are "clearly responsive" to a lawsuit filed in 2003 by the ACLU and other civil rights groups seeking records on the treatment of prisoners in U.S. custody overseas.

The U.S. attorney's office in Manhattan declined to comment Wednesday.

The New York Times last year disclosed the existence some of the Justice Department memos. It said they authorized interrogators to use methods like waterboarding, head slapping and exposure to freezing temperatures.

More from msnbc.com   Silver Lining: Tales of struggle and hope Analyst: India needs reassurance it's a priority She lost it all, but found a purpose   Elkhart Project: Pets going homeless in droves Red Tape: Life after overdraft fees  On Twitter: Breaking news updates | Weird and wild

MORE FROM SECURITY

Security Section Front

New charges in Somali terror case Lawyer: Sept. 11 defendants want to air views Judge keeps Hasan confined until trial Would N.Y. jury impose death in 9/11 trial? 4 men in Fla. terror plot sent to prison Security Section Front   Add Security headlines to your news reader: