Several London-based servers of an alternative media network have been seized by the FBI in an operation, rumoured to be related to recent requests to remove photos posted on a web site.

The FBI took the servers took the servers from hosting firm Rackspace's London offices, with apparently no explanation.

But the action affected services and data in some 17 countries where the Independent Media Centre, known as Indymedia, used the servers to host local media collections and radio streams for several stations and other miscellaneous open-source projects.

The Independent Media Centre said it has no idea why the servers had been seized.

'Talking to Indymedia volunteers, Rackspace stated that "they cannot provide Indymedia with any information regarding the order",' the organisation said.

'It is unclear to Indymedia how and why a server that is outside the US jurisdiction can be seized by US authorities.'

But Indymedia suspects the sting could be connected to several recent FBI requests to remove photos posted by an affiliate Nantes-based organisation that had posted photos of undercover Swiss police.

Rackspace says its actions comply with a US court order it received last week under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty, mandating cross-border cooperation.