Court overturns acquittal for 9/11 terrorists – threatens death penalty!

Court overturns acquittal for 9/11 terrorists – threatens death penalty!

On July 11, 2025, an American appeals court ruled that the previous plea bargain of Khalid Cheikh Mohammed, the man considered the “brains” of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, would be annulled. This significant decision was made by a majority of two votes to one and could now lead to a trial where the death penalty could be sought. The appeals courts have upheld Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's earlier order quashing the agreements in August 2024. LAPRESSE reports that this decision was deemed necessary because the Court identified “indisputable errors” by the military judge.

Khalid Cheikh Mohammed and his co-defendants Walid bin Attash and Mustafa al-Hawsawi have long been held in the Guantanamo prison camp and are accused of killing almost 3,000 people through their participation in the devastating attacks. The details of the canceled deal are not fully known, but media reports that the three defendants agreed to plead guilty to planning crimes to avoid the death penalty. PARISMATCH highlights that this process has been repeatedly postponed for almost two decades, underscoring frustration with the slow progress in the justice process.

Consequences of the court decision

With the cancellation of the agreement, the US judiciary has the opportunity to resume military trials against Mohammed and his companions. This is fueling fears that the defendants could actually face the death penalty. The lengthy process could in turn place a burden on the victims' families, who have been waiting a long time for justice. Comments that defense tactics are largely responsible for the delays are often heard.

His arrest took place in Pakistan in 2003 and he was transferred to Guantanamo in September 2006, where he has since been imprisoned under controversial conditions for almost two decades. Critics point out that the treatment, including torture, he endured has plagued the legal process with multiple legal problems. SÜDDEUTSCHE reports that these challenges in the legal dispute could prove to be a complication for the process that is now being set in motion.

A seemingly endless process

But it's not just Khalid Cheikh Mohammed who is the focus of criticism. Ramsi bin al-Shibb, another terror suspect charged in connection with the attacks, is also causing a stir. He has reportedly been tortured by US guards and has experienced similar problems in military trials. These delays and the treatment of the defendants cast a shadow over the entire military justice system at Guantanamo. Relatives of the 9/11 victims are increasingly frustrated by the slowness of the proceedings.

Although the courts now have the opportunity to act, the question remains whether true justice can ever be achieved for the victims of this terrible tragedy. The cancellation of the agreement could be a step in the right direction, but the complexity of the legal framework at Guantanamo still makes the situation difficult and uncertain.