The Department of Defense has announced that three men accused of plotting the 9/11 attacks have entered into a pre-trial agreement.
Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, Walid Muhammad Salih Mubarak Bin Attash, and Mustafa Ahmed Adam al-Hawsawi have been held at the US Navy base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for years without trial.
While details of the agreement have not been released, US news outlets report that the men will plead guilty in exchange for the prosecution’s agreement not to seek the death penalty.
The 9/11 attacks, which killed nearly 3,000 people, led to the “War on Terror” and the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq.
Families of 9/11 victims have expressed concern and disappointment over the plea deals. Brett Eagleson, president of 9/11 Justice, stated that the process lacked transparency and urged authorities to investigate Saudi Arabia’s role in the attacks.
Terry Strada, who lost her husband in the attacks, described the plea deal as a “victory” for the detainees, saying it gives them what they want.
The pre-trial agreement has sparked criticism from those seeking justice for the 9/11 victims, with many feeling that the deal does not adequately hold the accused accountable for their actions.
