Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has dramatically revoked a proposed plea deal for the alleged mastermind of the 9/11 attacks.
Austin said Khalid Shaikh Mohammed and two accomplices were no longer eligible for life sentences in prison without the prospect of the death penalty in return for a guilty plea.
They were offered the deal just two days ago, on Wednesday, triggering widespread outrage.
Austin also relieved the official responsible for the plea deal of her duties. Retired Brigadier General Susan K Escallier will no longer oversea the case, with Austin himself assuming responsibility for it.
The development was first reported by The New York Times Friday evening.
Friday’s shock U-turn means Mohammed and his accomplices – Walid Bin Attash and Mustafa al-Hawasawi – could once again face the death penalty.
Announcing the revocation of the plea deal, Austin told the Times that the high stakes nature of the case means ‘the responsibility for such a decision should rest with me.’
He added: ‘Effective immediately, in the exercise of my authority, I hereby withdraw from the three pretrial agreements that you signed on July 31, 2024.’
Wednesday’s plea deal announcement was the culmination of two years of negotiations