Raising concerns over safety of American soldiers, Defense Secretary Robert Gates has blocked any more public release of pictures of foreign detainees abused by their U.S. captors. As per a court order signed Friday, as many as 44 such pictures have been permanently blocked.

The controversy over release of these pictures started earlier this year when the Obama Administration agreed to comply with, and appeal for a court order, "to disclose the photographs similar to the now infamous pictures from Iraq's Abu Grahib prison".

"I have determined that public disclosure of these photographs would endanger citizens of the United States, members of the United States Armed Forces, or employees of the United States Government deployed outside the United States", said Gates, while sharing that his decision has received complete support from important political and army authorities of America and Iraq.

The photographs have been taken by service-members in Iraq and Afghanistan, and were a part of the countries' drive to expose the torture and abuse faced by the captives, thereby demanding criminal charges against those who indulge in it.