FBI disclosure stokes fears

The FBI's release of portions of its internal manual for investigations is stoking fears among some civil liberties and Muslim organizations that the federal law enforcement agency is engaged in intrusive surveillance of political and religious groups with no connection to crime or terrorism. The Domestic Investigations and Operations Guide was posted on the FBI's website last week in response to numerous requests and at least two Freedom of Information Act lawsuits. While the bulk of the 270-page document was made public, numerous sections were whited out, with notations that their disclosure might compromise the FBI's investigative techniques. Particularly troubling to watchdog groups was the deletion of almost the entire section about guidance on "undisclosed participation" by the FBI or its informants in domestic groups.