Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, Khalid Shaikh Mohammad
(New York, NY) – Family members of 9-11 victims are speaking out and protesting, after reports emerged that the confessed mastermind of the 2001 attacks may receive a plea deal. Federal prosecutors and defense attorneys for Khalid Sheikh Mohammed are reportedly discussing a deal that would avoid the death penalty. Mohammed and four other co-defendants have been in custody at Guantanamo Bay detention camp since his arrest in 2003.
In a letter written to the White House, the family members ask President Biden to intervene and hold off on any plea deal. Their fear is the deal, avoiding a trial in the process, would prohibit discovery that would potentially expose Saudi Arabia’s role in the attacks. Evidence shared in a trial might shed more light on if Saudi Arabia provided the hijackers any help, though the Middle Eastern nation denies any involvement.
