According to the Associated Press, three key figures in the 9/11 attacks, including Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, may evade the death penalty. Despite being detained for over twenty years, they have not faced trial.
In August, they reached a plea deal with prosecutors, agreeing to life imprisonment in exchange for confessions. However, U.S. Defense Secretary Austin disagreed and rescinded the deal days later.
A military court, as reported by AP, has now reinstated the original agreement, overruling Austin’s decision. The defendants’ lawyers argued that Austin lacked authority in the matter, a view the judge reportedly agreed with.
Austin has the option to appeal. Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, considered the mastermind behind the 9/11 attacks which killed nearly 3,000 people, was captured in Pakistan in 2003 and interrogated in secret CIA prisons.
He was later transferred to Guantanamo Bay, where further interrogations occurred. Doubts about the confessions arose due to the use of torture during interrogations.
Source: NOS