Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced on Friday that the plea deal previously reached with Khalid Sheikh Mohammad, the alleged mastermind behind the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, has been revoked.
This decision also affects two of his co-conspirators, Walid Muhammad Salih Mubarak Bin Attash and Mustafa Ahmed Adam al Hawsawi.
This decision effectively reinstates the possibility of the death penalty for the trio.
As earlier reported, the plea deal between the Convening Authority for Military Commissions and the defendants—Khalid Sheikh Mohammad, Walid Muhammad Salih Mubarak Bin Attash, and Mustafa Ahmed Adam al Hawsawi—was designed to reduce the legal consequences for the accused while allowing them to avoid the death penalty. The agreement, which was signed by retired Brig. Gen. Susan K. Escallier, aimed to achieve this outcome.
Details regarding the terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Secretary Austin’s announcement follows growing pressure from various political groups and advocacy organizations, who contend that showing any leniency to those involved in the 9/11 attacks undermines justice for the nearly 3,000 victims and their families.
“I have determined that, in light of the significance of the decision to enter into pre-trial agreements with the accused in the above-referenced case, responsibility for