Trial Date Set for Sept. 11 Accused Mastermind and Co-Conspirators

Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the alleged mastermind behind the September 11 attacks, along with three other accused accomplices, will face trial in 2028. This comes after prolonged delays and what has been described as a ‘Frankenstein’s zombie court.’ The trial is set to begin on June 5, 2028, after a military judge decided the timeline for the case.

For over two decades, Mohammed and his alleged co-conspirators have been detained at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. Loved ones of the victims have expressed frustration with the stalled proceedings. Michael Lebowitz, a former prosecutor at Guantánamo military commissions, noted that the issue isn’t with the evidence but with the system itself.

According to Lebowitz, conducting court hearings has been complicated by logistical hurdles. All involved parties, including judges and legal teams, often travel to Washington, D.C., for trials, slowing progress. The case has seen many judges over the years, resulting in repeated deliberation over the same issues.

The trial’s timeline reflects years of pretrial proceedings. Legal disagreements remain, such as disputes over evidence. The military commission is still addressing these controversies before the case’s substantive trial can commence.

Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, a Pakistani citizen, is blamed for orchestrating the 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center, Pentagon, and United Airlines Flight 93, which crashed in Pennsylvania. The case has gone through multiple delays due to attempts to settle via plea agreements.

The death penalty remains a pivotal issue. According to Lebowitz, even if it’s pursued, it may not be enforceable, leading to further legal stagnation. More than just the accused individuals, families of the victims also seek Saudi Arabia’s accountability for the events leading up to the attacks.

In 2024, Mohammed, along with bin Attash and al-Hawsawi, agreed to plead guilty in exchange for life sentences. However, this plea deal, initially supported by some families, faced backlash. The Biden administration subsequently backtracked on the agreement, reinstating further legal challenges.