Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, accused of masterminding the September 11 terror attacks, along with three alleged co-conspirators, is scheduled to face trial in 2028. The trial has been postponed for years, impacted by complex legal proceedings. A military judge recently set the trial date for June 5, 2028.
Mohammed and the three others have been detained at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, for over two decades. The delays have frustrated relatives of the 9/11 victims. Michael Lebowitz, a former prosecutor for Guantánamo military commissions, attributes the problem to the system’s structure rather than the evidence itself.
The system is likened to a ‘Frankenstein’s zombie court,’ emphasizing the travel and logistical challenges involved in conducting court hearings.
The case against Mohammed, as well as Walid bin Attash, Mustafa al-Hawsawi, and Ammar al-Baluchi, has experienced delays due to legal disputes over evidence and attempts to resolve issues through plea agreements. The new trial date aims to bring closure to a case that has been stalled in pretrial proceedings for years.
Mohammed is alleged to have orchestrated the 9/11 attacks, which involved hijacked planes crashing into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. A fourth plane, United Airlines Flight 93, crashed in Pennsylvania due to a passenger uprising against the hijackers.
According to Lebowitz, the case has seen over 10 judges, causing repetitive litigation over various issues. He highlights systemic inefficiencies that serve as obstacles to a smooth trial process.
One significant obstacle is deciding whether to pursue the death penalty. Lebowitz believes it is improbable that any death sentences will be upheld.
Furthermore, some victims’ families want accountability from Saudi Arabia, whose agents allegedly aided the hijackers. Terry Strada, of 9/11 Families United, questioned Saudi Arabia’s role in the attacks.
Previously, Mohammed and some co-conspirators had agreed to plead guilty in return for life sentences, sidestepping the death penalty. While some families backed this, others opposed it. Subsequently, the Biden administration withdrew the plea deal, leading to further legal challenges.