American prosecutors revealed on Wednesday that Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, Walid Muhammad Salih Mubarak Bin Attash, and Mustafa Ahmed Adam al-Hawsawi have agreed to plead guilty in order to avoid the death penalty. The three terror suspects, who are believed to be behind the 9/11 attacks, will receive life sentences instead of facing a major trial at Guantanamo Bay. Mohammed is widely regarded as the mastermind of the 2001 attacks, while Bin Attash and al-Hawsawi played crucial roles in facilitating the hijackers’ actions.
The alleged mastermind, Mohammed, was captured in 2003 after spending time in secret CIA prisons. The three suspects have been held without trial at Guantanamo Bay ever since their capture. They were subjected to brutal torture techniques, including waterboarding and sleep deprivation, according to a 2014 US Senate report and leaked diplomatic cables.
Their initial trial date was set for January 2021 but has been postponed multiple times due to defense lawyers arguing that evidence obtained through torture is inadmissible in court. The Pentagon confirmed the deal on Wednesday, although the specific terms of the agreement remain undisclosed at this time.
The news of the plea deal has angered organizations representing the families of 9/11 victims, as they believe the suspects should be subjected to further questioning to reveal more information about Saudi Arabia’s possible role in the attacks. The three suspects hail from prominent Saudi families, and members of 9/11 Justice have sued Saudi Arabia over its alleged complicity in the attacks, although Riyadh denies any responsibility.