The United States military apologized publicly, Monday, for graphic pictures released of American troops posing by the bodies of dead Afghan civilians.

In the pictures published in a German magazine, two U.S. soldiers appear smiling next to a bloodied and partially-clothed corpse.

In an emailed statement, the Army called the photographs "repugnant" and said they depicted actions contrary to the values of the United States Army.

"We apologize for the distress these photos cause," Army spokesman Col. Thomas Collins said.

Officials seized the pictures while looking into the deaths of three unarmed Afghans last year. Five U.S. soldiers have been charged with murder and conspiracy.

Military officials tried to keep the photographs away from the media, but the German newspaper obtained copies and released them over the weekend.