9/11 Mastermind and Co-Plotters to Plead Guilty: Pentagon Announcement

9/11 Mastermind and Co-Plotters to Plead Guilty: Pentagon Confirms

In a significant development, the Pentagon has announced that Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the alleged mastermind of the September 11, 2001, attacks, along with two of his co-plotters, has agreed to plead guilty. This move is expected to involve a plea deal that may remove the death penalty from consideration.

Details of the Plea Deals

A US official, speaking anonymously, indicated that the plea deals likely involve guilty pleas in exchange for the removal of the death penalty. The specific terms of the agreement have not been publicly disclosed, but a plea for a life sentence is a potential outcome.

The Pentagon did not provide further details on the plea arrangements but confirmed the agreements for Mohammed, Walid Muhammad Salih Mubarak Bin ‘Attash, and Mustafa Ahmed Adam al Hawsawi. These three men were initially charged jointly and arraigned on June 5, 2008, and later re-arraigned on May 5, 2012.

Background on Khalid Sheikh Mohammed

Khalid Sheikh Mohammed is known for orchestrating the devastating 9/11 attacks, which saw hijacked planes crash into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. The attacks resulted in nearly 3,000 deaths and initiated the US-led war in Afghanistan. Mohammed is one of the most notorious detainees at Guantanamo Bay, a facility established in 2002 by President George W. Bush to hold foreign militants.

His interrogations have been controversial, with a 2014 Senate Intelligence Committee report revealing he was subjected to waterboarding at least 183 times. This method, part of enhanced interrogation techniques used by the CIA, has faced severe criticism.

Reaction and Controversy

The plea deals have drawn criticism from various quarters. US Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell condemned the negotiations, describing them as “cowardice in the face of terror.” McConnell’s statement criticized the Biden administration for engaging in plea deals with terrorists.

Current Status of Guantanamo Bay

Guantanamo Bay’s population peaked at about 800 inmates but has since decreased to 30. The facility continues to house individuals accused of terrorism-related activities, and these plea deals represent a notable shift in how the US government is handling high-profile detainees.