Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, 9/11 Conspiracy, New York 2023

Five accused 9/11 plotters have been referred to military commissions, according to a recent move by the federal government. Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, Walid Bin Attash, Ramzi Bin Al-Shibh, Ali Abdul Aziz Ali, and Mustafa Al-Hawsawi are now facing charges in a military court.

The indictment, unsealed earlier this year, charges each of the defendants with conspiracy to commit acts of terrorism transcending national boundaries, acts of terrorism transcending national boundaries, conspiracy to commit violent acts and destroy aircraft, violence on and destruction of aircraft, conspiracy to commit aircraft piracy, aircraft piracy, murder of U.S. officers and employees, destruction of property by means of fire and explosives, and conspiracy to kill Americans.

The indictment alleges that Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, closely associated with Usama Bin Laden, proposed a terror plot in 1999 that would use airplanes as missiles to crash into buildings. He is accused of serving as the operational leader of the 9/11 plot. Walid Bin Attash participated in the plot by collecting information on matters related to airport and airplane security measures.

Ramzi Bin Al-Shibh tried to become one of the pilot hijackers but failed to obtain a visa for entry into the United States. Instead, he managed the plot by sending money to hijackers in the United States from abroad. Ali Abdul Aziz Ali allegedly facilitated the plot by sending money to hijackers in the United States from abroad. Mustafa Al-Hawsawi allegedly helped hijackers travel to the United States and facilitated their efforts upon arrival.

The five defendants are currently in the custody of the U.S. military. Their cases were referred to the Defense Department by the Attorney General in consultation with the Secretary of Defense. The Attorney General cited Congressional restrictions as the reason for the referral to a military commission.

Attorney General Eric Holder said, ‘While we will continue to seek to repeal those restrictions, we cannot allow a trial to be further delayed for the victims of the 9/11 attacks or their families.’ Holder expressed confidence in the reformed military commission system to handle the case.

The 9/11 attacks resulted in the deaths of 2,976 persons and damaged or destroyed four commercial aircraft, the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center, and the Pentagon.

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