Sitting in the front row of a military court at the US naval base at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, one of the world’s most notorious defendants, appeared to be listening intently.
“Can you confirm that Mr. Mohammed pleads guilty to all counts and specifications without exception or substitution?” the judge asked his lawyer as Mohammed watched.
“Yes, we can, your honor,” replied the lawyer.
Sitting in court, Mohammed, 59, sporting a bright orange beard and wearing a hat, tunic and trousers, bore little resemblance to the photograph spread soon after its capture in 2003.
Mohammed, accused of masterminding the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the US, was due to plead guilty this week – more than 23 years after nearly 3,000 people were killed in what the US government called “the world’s most egregious crime “. American Land in Modern History’.
But two days later, when Mohammed was scheduled to formally enter his decision — the result of a controversial deal he struck with U.S. state prosecutors — he instead watched silently as a judge said the proceedings had been stayed under federal appeals rulings. court
It was expected to be a landmark week for the case, which has faced a decade of delays. Now, with new complications, it continues into the uncertain future.
“It will be an eternal trial,” said a relative of one of the 9/11 victims.
