The New York Civil Liberties Union filed court papers yesterday demanding the NYPD turn over documents related to its controversial counterterrorism program that put Muslims under surveillance.
The organization says the intelligence gathering violates internal NYPD rules known as the Handschu guidelines for investigating political or religious groups.
The recent surveillance “raises serious questions concerning whether the Police Department has violated court-ordered restrictions on its ability to spy on and keep dossiers on individuals,” said NYCLU Legal Director Arthur Eisenberg.
The group filed its papers in Connecticut federal court with Judge Charles Haight Jr., who oversaw the original 1971 Handschu case as a New York judge.
Last month, The Associated Press reported that the NYPD collaborated with the CIA to use undercover operatives to infiltrate the Muslim community.
While rebutting parts of the AP story, the NYPD has defended its anti-terror efforts.
The NYPD declined comment on the NYCLU suit.