A federal judge has turned aside calls to publicly release video and photographs of the U.S. military raid and aftermath that left al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden dead . Judicial Watch , a conservative legal group , had asked the Department of Defense to comply with a Freedom of Information request for the material , especially photos of the September 11 mastermind lying dead on the third floor of his Pakistan hideout . The group argued it was being `` irreparably harmed '' by the Obama administration 's `` unlawful withholding of requested records . '' But Judge James Boasberg ruled Thursday there were legitimate national security interests to deny disclosure . `` A picture may be worth a thousand words . And perhaps moving pictures bear an even higher value , '' said the Washington-based judge . `` Yet , in this case , verbal descriptions of the death and burial of Osama bin Laden will have to suffice , for this court will not order the release of anything more . '' Deported bin Laden family members head to Saudi Arabia . Judicial Watch made its initial request the day after the commando assault by Navy SEALs . A similar request for material was filed against the CIA . President Barack Obama had announced that the U.S. government would not reveal any photographs of the May 2 , 2011 , military action and bin Laden 's subsequent burial at sea . Some members of Congress have been allowed to privately view the materials this week . Some al Qaeda-affiliated leaders , along with domestic and foreign websites and blogs , have questioned whether bin Laden was really killed and whether the details of his death released by the administration were accurate . A May 9 , 2011 , letter from the Pentagon to Judicial Watch -- mentioned in the legal complaint -- stated , `` At this time , we are unable to make a release determination on your request within the 20-day statutory time period '' required by federal law . The legal group had the option of filing an administrative appeal directly with the Defense Department , rather than going for a lawsuit . `` The American people have a right to know , by law , basic information about the killing of Osama bin Laden , '' Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton said then . `` Incredibly , the Obama administration told us that it has no plans to comply with the Freedom of Information law , so we must now go to court . President Obama 's not wanting to 'spike the football ' is not a lawful basis for withholding government documents . This historic lawsuit should remind the Obama administration that it is not above the law . '' Obama had barred any public release of photos or video , telling CBS News , `` It is important to make sure that very graphic photos of somebody who was shot in the head are not floating around as an incitement to additional violence or as a propaganda tool . '' He added , `` We do n't trot this stuff out as trophies . We do n't need to spike the football . '' Judicial Watch calls itself a `` a conservative , nonpartisan educational foundation ( promoting ) transparency , accountability and integrity in government , politics and the law . '' The case is Judicial Watch v. U.S. Department of Defense ( 1:11-cv-890 ) .
Al Qaeda leader was killed in U.S. raid on May 2 , 2011 . Conservative legal group sued , seeking release of photos of the incident . Judge says `` verbal descriptions of the death ... will have to suffice ''