Khalid Sheikh Mohammed's plea deal delayed as legal battles continue at Guantanamo Bay
bbc.com — January 11, 2025, 12:02 AM UTC
Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, accused mastermind of the 9/11 attacks, was set to plead guilty this week at Guantanamo Bay but faced a delay due to a federal appeals court's intervention. This pause complicates a case already marked by years of legal disputes. The delay stems from a controversial deal that would spare Mohammed from the death penalty in exchange for his guilty plea. The U.S. government is seeking to rescind this agreement, citing potential harm to the public. As legal proceedings continue, the number of detainees at Guantanamo Bay has dwindled to just 15, the lowest in its history. Most detainees have not been charged with crimes, and the facility remains under scrutiny from human rights groups.