A U.S. military judge has scheduled the trial of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed for June 5, 2028. He is accused of masterminding the September 11, 2001, attacks. The trial date comes almost 27 years after the tragic events where hijacked planes were flown into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, while a fourth plane crashed in Pennsylvania, resulting in nearly 3,000 deaths.
Air Force Lt. Col. Michael A. Schrama declined the prosecution’s proposed start date of January 11, 2027. He cited outstanding pretrial litigation as a barrier. The judge emphasized the need for sufficient time to resolve evidentiary and compliance issues. This includes debates on whether to exclude certain statements recorded by the FBI.
Mohammed will face trial with Walid bin Attash, Ali Abdul Aziz Ali, and Mustafa al-Hawsawi. All four are charged with involvement in the 9/11 plot and are detained at the U.S. naval base in Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. Prosecutors allege Mohammed played a key role in the plan to hijack and crash planes into major U.S. targets. Captured in Pakistan in March 2003, he has been held at Guantánamo Bay since 2006.
The new trial date follows a failed plea agreement that could have seen Mohammed plead guilty in exchange for a life sentence without the possibility of parole instead of a death-penalty trial.
The court order sets important milestones leading up to the trial on June 5, 2028, starting with jury selection. However, progress depends on meeting intermediate deadlines, suggesting possible further delays.
This situation is still unfolding. More updates will follow as available.