The US Supreme Court on Monday rejected an appeal by Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the accused mastermind of the 11 September 2001 attacks, and two alleged accomplices seeking to reinstate plea agreements that would have spared them the death penalty.
\n\nIn an unsigned order, the court declined to overturn a lower court ruling that upheld the US government's decision to withdraw the agreements reached with military prosecutors in 2024.
\n\nThe decision leaves in place the withdrawal ordered by then-Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin under the Biden administration. Justice Brett Kavanaugh did not take part in the court's consideration of the appeal.
\n\nMohammed, Mustafa al Hawsawi and Walid bin 'Atash face charges before a military commission over their alleged roles in planning and carrying out the 9/11 attacks. Five of the charges carry the death penalty.
\n\nThe judge overseeing the cases set a trial date for June 2028 in August, although the schedule depends on the parties meeting a series of deadlines and procedural requirements.
\n\nThe agreements were reached in 2024 after military lawyers began negotiations with the defendants the previous year. They were approved by retired Brigadier General Susan Escallier, the official responsible for overseeing the military commissions at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Original source: https://www.timesnownews.com/world
