Austin revokes 9/11 settlement, suspects still face death penalty
On Friday, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced the cancellation of the settlement reached two days earlier with three individuals accused of organizing the September 11, 2001, attacks. The accused are being held at the U.S. base in Guantanamo, Cuba. Austin underscored that all matters related to this case fall under his exclusive jurisdiction.
The settlement specifics with the three accused—Khalid Sheikh Mohammed (considered the principal conspirator), Walid bin Attash, and Mustafa al-Hawsawi—have not been disclosed. However, letters sent to the families of the victims suggested that the settlement might have included life imprisonment for the accused.
Some families of the attack victims expressed dissatisfaction with the settlement, arguing that it would have avoided a full trial and the potential death penalty for the conspirators. By cancelling the controversial settlement, Austin noted, according to Sky News, the attackers still face the death penalty.
Republicans immediately criticized President Biden's administration for negotiating with those accused of organizing the most tragic terrorist attack in U.S. history since the Japanese assault on Pearl Harbor during World War II. The White House denied any involvement in the matter.
Austin's order
In an order issued on Friday, Austin revoked Gen. Susan Escallier, his subordinate, 's authorization to negotiate with the accused. He stated that he alone has the right to decide on further steps in this case.
According to information from the AP agency, the three accused were expected to file formal settlement requests as early as next week. The trial of these individuals and two other conspirators has been continuously postponed. They are held in CIA custody at the Guantanamo base, where they were subjected to torture.
September 11 attack
The accused face charges of terrorism and causing the deaths of nearly 3,000 people due to the September 11, 2001, hijacked airliner crashes into the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York and a third plane that crashed into the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.
A fourth plane, which was likely aimed at the Capitol or the White House, crashed in Pennsylvania due to the actions of passengers and crew who realized the attackers' intentions. Everyone on board the plane died.
The 9/11 attacks had far-reaching consequences, prompting the U.S. to initiate a "war on terror" worldwide, leading to numerous military interventions, including in Iraq and Afghanistan.
