New york: A US federal judge has rejected a request to unseal grand jury materials in the case involving Ghislaine Maxwell, the convicted accomplice of Jeffrey Epstein. The decision was made by Judge Paul A. Engelmayer of the Southern District of New York, who ruled that the documents do not contain any significant new information.

According to Anadolu Agency, the motion was dismissed on the grounds that much of the information from the grand jury testimony had already been made public during Maxwell's trial or through public statements by victims and witnesses. Judge Engelmayer noted that the materials primarily consisted of summary testimony from two law enforcement agents and did not include testimony from victims, eyewitnesses, or suspects.

The judge emphasized that the purpose of the grand jury process was solely to return an indictment. He clarified that the documents did not reveal new co-conspirators, identify Epstein's "clients," nor did they provide details on Epstein's death or offer new investigative insights.

Grand jury proceedings are generally kept confidential under the Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure, with exceptions allowed only under "special circumstances" that involve significant historical or public interest. Judge Engelmayer cautioned that unsealing the documents could undermine the secrecy fundamental to the grand jury process.

The US Justice Department had filed a motion to unseal the grand jury transcripts last month, arguing that there are "special circumstances" that could warrant disclosure. However, Maxwell opposed the unsealing of the transcripts, submitting a letter against the motion.

Maxwell, currently serving a 20-year sentence for conspiring to sexually abuse minors, was closely associated with Jeffrey Epstein. Epstein, who had connections with influential figures, was convicted in 2008 for felony solicitation and procuring a minor for prostitution.