Trial date set for alleged 9/11 mastermind

Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the alleged mastermind behind the September 11, 2001 terror attacks, has been assigned a trial date. The US Air Force Judge ruled that Mohammed and three co-defendants will appear before a military tribunal in June 2028. The lengthy legal process has been complicated by disputes over alleged confessions obtained through torture, locating an appropriate trial venue, and strong emotions surrounding the individual widely recognized as the primary planner of 9/11.

Mohammed, who was captured in 2003 after nearly two decades in detention at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, is also alleged to have been involved in other terrorist attacks, including the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, the 2002 Bali bombings, and the murder of US journalist Daniel Pearl. He is charged with 2,977 counts of murder, terrorism, aircraft hijacking, and civilian attacks.

If found guilty, Mohammed could face the death penalty, although judges may strive to avoid this due to the potential for an extended appeals process.