Trial Date Set for Alleged Mastermind of 9/11 Attacks

Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the man accused of masterminding the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, is scheduled to face trial on June 5, 2028. Alongside him, three alleged co-conspirators, Walid bin Attash, Mustafa al-Hawasawi, and Ammar al-Baluchi, have also been held at Guantanamo Bay since the early 2000s. The trial has faced numerous delays over the years. Judge Lt Col Michael Schrama rejected a request from government prosecutors to bring the case to trial in January 2027, instead setting the later date contingent on both parties meeting specific deadlines. Opening statements are expected to begin 30 days after the jury is empaneled, with defendants having the option to defer their statements until after the prosecution has presented its case. Following the prosecution's case, defendants will have 14 days to seek a finding of not guilty, with the prosecution allowed another 14 days to respond. The judge's ruling comes just weeks before the 25th anniversary of the attacks. In 2024, then-Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin revoked plea deals that would have allowed the defendants to plead guilty in exchange for life sentences, a decision made after families of 9/11 victims expressed concerns about the deals. A military appeals court is set to rule on an earlier decision to suppress al-Baluchi's confession, which was obtained under torture. The case has been complicated by legal disputes regarding the treatment of the defendants while in CIA custody. A fifth defendant, Ramzi bin al-Shibh, has been deemed incompetent to stand trial. Families of the victims have expressed hope for justice, with some questioning the need for further delays.