Three men accused of plotting 9/11 reach plea deal – Pentagon

The Pentagon has announced that three men accused of orchestrating the 9/11 attacks have reached a plea agreement, avoiding the death penalty. Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, Walid Muhammad Salih Mubarak Bin Attash, and Mustafa Ahmed Adam al-Hawsawi have been detained at the Guantanamo Bay facility for years without standing trial. The details of their plea deal have not been disclosed, but it is reported that they will plead guilty in exchange for life imprisonment instead of facing execution.

The 9/11 attacks, which resulted in nearly 3,000 deaths across New York, Virginia, and Pennsylvania, led to the U.S. launching the “War on Terror” and the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq. The decision to pursue a plea deal has stirred controversy and dissatisfaction among families of the victims and survivors of the attacks. Brett Eagleson, president of 9/11 Justice, criticized the lack of transparency in the process and urged further investigation into Saudi Arabia’s potential involvement. Terry Strada, whose husband died in the attacks, expressed disappointment, calling the plea deal a “victory” for the accused.

The plea deal was initially communicated to victims’ families in a letter from prosecutors, indicating that the formal plea before a military court could happen soon. The U.S. Department of Defense has confirmed that the terms of the agreement are currently confidential.

The accused have faced numerous charges, including murder, hijacking, and terrorism. Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, regarded as the mastermind behind the attacks, proposed the plan to al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden and assisted in recruiting and training the hijackers. Mohammed was captured in Pakistan in 2003 and subjected to “enhanced interrogation techniques,” including waterboarding, which critics have labeled as torture. Concerns over these interrogation methods potentially compromising the evidence contributed to delays in the trial.

In September, the Biden administration had rejected a previous plea deal proposed by the accused, which sought assurances against solitary confinement and access to trauma treatment. The White House has stated that it was informed of the current agreement on Wednesday and did not participate in the negotiations.

The involvement of Saudi nationals in the attacks remains a point of contention, with families pursuing legal action against the kingdom, which denies any complicity. The announcement of the plea deal has drawn criticism from Republican leaders. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell condemned the agreement, describing it as a “revolting abdication” of the government’s duty to seek justice for the American people.