NY court releases memo that justified using drones to kill US citizen abroad in terror war
NEW YORK, N.Y. – A federal appeals court has released a previously secret memo that provided legal justification for using drones to kill Americans suspected of terrorism overseas.
The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan released the memo Tuesday. Portions of it are blacked out.
The memo concluded that the killing of a U.S.-born al-Qaida leader had legal justification. It said the authority to use lethal force abroad may apply in appropriate circumstances to a U.S. citizen who is part of the forces of an enemy organization. It said the killing was justified as long as it was carried out in accord with applicable laws of war.
The memo was released after the American Civil Liberties Union and The New York Times filed a federal Freedom of Information Act lawsuit.
News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Join the Conversation!
Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?
You must be logged in to post a comment.
