Disclaimer: This article contains mentions of murder, terrorism, and torture. reader discretion is advised.
Alleged 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, who has been in prison for nearly two decades, recently reached a plea deal with the U.S. As part of the deal, Mohammed, an al Qaeda operative, and two of his alleged co-conspirators, Walid Bin ‘Attash and Mustafa al Hawsawi, have agreed to plead guilty to all charges. These include the murder of the 2,976 people listed in the charge sheet. A panel of military officers will later sentence the accused as the death penalty is off the table after the deal.
PBS’ FRONTLINE episode “Secrets, Politics and Torture” looks into the capture of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed. The episode also investigates the torture of alleged Mohammed and his co-conspirators while in CIA custody.
Khalid Sheikh Mohammed today: Where is the 9/11 mastermind now?
CNN reported that accused 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed has been in prison in Cuba’s Guantanamo Bay detention facility. The U.S. has had custody of Mohammed and his alleged co-conspirators – two of his top lieutenants – Walid Bin ‘Attash and Mustafa al Hawsawi since 2003. The accused terrorists have been serving time in the Guantanamo Bay prison and other facilities over the decades, per USA Today.
Now, after negotiating for 27 months, the U.S. has reached a plea deal with Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, Walid Bin ‘Attash, and Mustafa al Hawsawi. These negotiations started in March 2022. These men have agreed to plead guilty to the murder of the 2,976 people listed in the charging sheet. This agreement also avoids the possibility of a prolonged death penalty trial against Khalid Sheikh Mohammed.
Reportedly, the U.S. captured Khalid Sheikh Mohammed in 2003 in Pakistan and filed charges against him in 2008. These charges included his crimes such as conspiracy, murder in violation of the law of war, attacking civilians, attacking civilian objects, intentionally causing serious bodily injury, destruction of property in violation of the law of war, and terrorism and material support of terrorism. The government sought the death penalty at the time.
However, there was a delay in Mohammed, Walid Bin ‘Attash, and Mustafa al Hawsawi’s military trial. The delay occurred as the government struggled with the complications that arose from the prisoners’ torture. These reportedly occurred during the 2000s while they were being held in secret CIA facilities. Prosecutors struggled to determine whether they could present information the accused offered during the torture in court or not.
Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, Walid Bin ‘Attash, and Mustafa al Hawsawi are yet to face sentencing for the 9/11 plea deal.
