The long-awaited legal proceedings for Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the alleged mastermind of the 9/11 attacks, faced yet another delay this week.
Mohammed, detained at Guantanamo Bay since his 2003 capture, was expected to plead guilty to all charges in exchange for a deal that would remove the possibility of a death penalty sentence.
However, just as the plea agreement was about to be finalized, a federal appeals court intervened, halting the process to review the deal negotiated between Mohammed’s defense team and U.S. prosecutors. The prosecution filed a late-stage appeal, arguing that proceeding with the agreement could have “irreparable” repercussions for the U.S. government and the public.
Read More: Peshawar attack mastermind traced, claims CTD
This latest delay has left the families of 9/11 victims, many of whom had traveled to Guantanamo Bay to witness the proceedings, feeling frustrated. Some had made extensive arrangements, such as securing child and pet care, only to discover the plea hearing was postponed.
Elizabeth Miller, whose father was among those killed in the attacks, described the repeated delays as “like a perpetual limbo.” While she supports the plea deal as a means of achieving closure, she also acknowledged the emotional burden these postponements have imposed on families seeking justice.
The delay also reignites broader discussions surrounding the Guantanamo Bay detention facility, established in the wake of the 9/11 attacks as part of the U.S. “War on Terror.” Despite a significant reduction in the number of detainees over the years, the facility remains controversial, facing criticism for prisoner treatment and the military tribunal system.
