Key Takeaways
- Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and three co-defendants will stand trial in June 2028 for their roles in the 9/11 attacks.
- The trial has faced significant delays over the past two decades, including previous plea deal rejections.
- The proceedings will be conducted by a military tribunal with a jury composed entirely of service members.
Trial Ordered for 9/11 Plot Mastermind
A U.S. Air Force judge has scheduled Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the alleged mastermind behind the September 11, 2001, attacks, to go on trial in June 2028, along with three co-defendants. This decision, made by Air Force Lt. Col. Michael Schrama, highlights the extended legal battles that have characterized the cases of the detainees at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
The trial’s planning follows a significant judicial ruling last year. A U.S. appeals court denied Mohammed and two co-defendants the opportunity to plead guilty under previous agreements, which would have allowed them to avoid the death penalty. This plea deal, initially endorsed by a military judge and the U.S. Court of Military Commission Review in 2024, was ultimately withdrawn by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin after facing criticism from Republican lawmakers.
According to the 11-page order issued by Lt. Col. Schrama, the trial for Mohammed, Walid Muhammad Salih Mubarak bin ‘Atash, Mustafa Ahmed Adam al Hawsawi, and Ali Abdul Aziz Ali is set to begin on June 5, 2028. The trial will commence with the selection of a jury composed entirely of military service members, who will hear the case under military justice rules.
The proceedings will include opening statements, which will take place 30 calendar days post-jury selection. After these statements, the prosecution will present evidence before the defendants have the chance to file motions for findings of not guilty. The order outlines opportunities for both parties to argue their positions and for the prosecution to introduce additional evidence if needed. The defense’s principal case is set to begin 60 calendar days following the prosecution’s case conclusion, culminating in a sentencing phase.
Schrama dismissed a request from prosecutors to initiate the trial in January 2027, citing insufficient time to resolve pretrial evidentiary motions and ensure compliance.
Khalid Sheikh Mohammed remains the most notable detainee at Guantanamo, established in 2002 by President George W. Bush to detain foreign militants after the devastating attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people. Mohammed is accused of orchestrating the plot that saw hijacked planes crash into both the World Trade Center towers in New York City and the Pentagon, marking a pivotal moment in U.S. history.
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