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The Associated Press on Tuesday appealed a federal appeals court ruling that a petition filed by U.S.-born Taliban soldier John Walker Lindh seeking a reduction in his prison sentence can remain secret.

A three-judge panel of the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals last month rejected the news agency's request for any commutation petitions filed by Lindh, who is serving 20 years in prison. The court agreed with a lower court that Lindh's privacy interests outweigh any public interest served by releasing the information.

The AP asked for a rehearing before the full appeals court in Manhattan on its Freedom of Information request.

Lindh was captured in November 2001 in the U.S.-led invasion to overthrow the Taliban. He was sentenced in 2002 after admitting aiding the Taliban in Afghanistan.