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9/11 Mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed Back Before Gitmo Judge

May. 5, 2012 11:21am
Khalid Sheikh Mohammed

Self-proclaimed 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and his co-defendants headed back to a military tribunal at Guantanamo Bay on Saturday. (AP)

GUANTANAMO BAY NAVAL BASE, Cuba (AP) — The self-proclaimed mastermind of the Sept. 11 attacks repeatedly declined to answer a judge’s questions Saturday and his co-defendants knelt in prayer in what appeared to be a concerted protest against the military proceedings.

Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and four other men appeared for the first time in more than three years for arraignment at a military tribunal at Guantanamo Bay, charged with 2,976 counts of murder for the 2001 attacks.

The hearing quickly bogged down before they could be arraigned. The men took off the earphones that provide Arabic translations and refused to answer any questions from the judge, Army Col. James Pohl, dramatically slowing a hearing that is heavy on military legal procedure.

At one point, two defendants got up and prayed alongside their defense tables under the watchful eyes of troops arrayed along the sides of the high-security courtroom on the U.S. base in Cuba.

Prisoner Walid bin Attash was put in a restraint chair for unspecified reasons and then removed from it after he agreed to behave. Lawyers for all defendants complained that the prisoners were prevented from wearing the civilian clothes of their choice.

Mohammed wore a white turban in court; his flowing beard, which had appeared to be graying in earlier hearings and photos, was streaked with red henna.

Mohammed’s civilian lawyer, David Nevin, said he believed Mohammed was not responding because he believes the tribunal is unfair.

Jim Harrington, a civilian attorney for Yemeni defendant Ramzi Binalshibh, said his client would not respond to questions “without addressing the issues of confinement.” No further explanation was given.

Pohl warned he would not permit defendants to block the hearing and would continue without his participation.

“One cannot choose not to participate and frustrate the normal course of business,” Pohl said.

He addressed the earpiece issue by bringing the translators into the courtroom to translate out loud and attempted to stick to the standard script for tribunals, asking the defendants if they understood their rights to counsel and would accept the attorneys appointed for them. The men did not respond, not even to acknowledge that they understood the questions.

Through much of the session, the defendants seemed to be trying to give the impression they were in a different world than the rest of the court.

Cheryl Bormann, a civilian attorney for bin Attash, appeared in a conservative Islamic outfit that left only her face uncovered and she asked the court to order other women present to wear “appropriate” clothing so that defendants do not have to avert their eyes “for fear of committing a sin under their faith.”

And Binalshibh interrupted the session with an outburst from the defense table in a mix of Arabic and broken English, saying, “Maybe they will kill me and say I committed suicide.”

Six 9/11 family members were in the courtroom with the defendants while more than 100 others watched the proceedings on closed-circuit video feeds in the U.S. Jim Riches, a retired city firefighter whose son was killed at the World Trade Center, said some people blurted out “C,mon, are you kidding me?” as the defendants became more disruptive.

In the past, during the failed first effort to prosecute them at the U.S. base in Cuba, Mohammed has mocked the tribunal and said he and his co-defendants would plead guilty and welcome execution. But there were signs that at least some of the defense teams were preparing for a lengthy fight, planning challenges of the military tribunals and the secrecy that shrouds the case.

The arraignment is “only the beginning of a trial that will take years to complete, followed by years of appellate review,” attorney James Connell, who represents defendant Ali Abd al-Aziz Ali, told reporters gathered at the base to observe the hearing.

“I can’t imagine any scenario where this thing gets wrapped up in six months,” Connell said.

Defendants in what is known as a military commission typically do not enter a plea during their arraignment. Instead, the judge reads the charges, makes sure the accused understand their rights and then moves on to procedural issues. Lawyers for the men said they were prohibited by secrecy rules from disclosing their clients’ intentions.

Harrington, representing Binalshibh, who has said at one hearing that he was proud of the Sept. 11 attacks, said he did not think that any of the defendants would plead guilty, notwithstanding their earlier statements.

Army Capt. Jason Wright, one of Mohammed’s Pentagon-appointed lawyers, declined to comment on the case.

Before the hearing, family members at Guantanamo said they were grateful for the chance to see a case they believe has been delayed too long.

Suzanne Sisolak of Brooklyn, whose husband Joseph was killed in his office in the trade center’s north tower, said she is not concerned about the ultimate outcome as long as the five prisoners do not go free.

“They can put them in prison for life. They can execute them,” Sisolak said. “What I do care about is that this does not happen again. They need to be stopped.”

The arraignment for the five comes more than three years after President Barack Obama’s failed effort to try the suspects in a federal civilian court and close the prison at the U.S. base in Cuba.

Attorney General Eric Holder announced in 2009 that Mohammed and his co-defendants would be tried blocks from the site of the destroyed trade center in downtown Manhattan, but the plan was shelved after New York officials cited huge costs to secure the neighborhood and family opposition to trying the suspects in the U.S.

Congress then blocked the transfer of any prisoners from Guantanamo to the U.S., forcing the Obama administration to refile the charges under a reformed military commission system.

New rules adopted by Congress and Obama forbid the use of testimony obtained through cruel treatment or torture. Gen. Mark Martins, the chief prosecutor, said the commission provides many of the same protections that defendants would get in civilian court. “I’m confident that this court can achieve justice and fairness,” he said.

But human rights groups and the defense lawyers say the reforms have not gone far enough and that restrictions on legal mail and the overall secret nature of Guantanamo and the commissions makes it impossible to provide an adequate defense.

They argue that the U.S. has sought to keep the case in the military commission to prevent disclosure of the harsh treatment of prisoners such as Mohammed, who was waterboarded 183 times and subjected to other measures that some have called torture.

Mohammed, a Pakistani citizen who grew up in Kuwait and attended college in Greensboro, North Carolina, has admitted to military authorities that he was responsible for the Sept. 11 attacks “from A to Z,” as well as about 30 other plots, and that he personally killed Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl. Mohammed was captured in 2003 in Pakistan.

Binalshibh was allegedly chosen to be a hijacker but couldn’t get a U.S. visa and ended up providing assistance such as finding flight schools. Bin Attash, also from Yemen, allegedly ran an al-Qaida training camp in Afghanistan and researched flight simulators and timetables. Mustafa Ahmad al-Hawsawi is a Saudi accused of helping the hijackers with money, Western clothing, traveler’s checks and credit cards. Al-Aziz Ali, a Pakistani national and nephew of Mohammed, allegedly provided money to the hijackers.

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Comments (74)

1 2
  • dalebrendan
    Posted on May 5, 2012 at 5:46pm

    FACT: Blow back is a reality
    FACT: We should fight to WIN

    …it amazes me that certain groups of people have completely forgotten–or perhaps never had any understanding–of who and what we are fighting against. Get a clue?

    I have become more and more Conservative & Libertarian (Ron Paul for Secretary of Treasury please) every day.

    Arguing with the left is almost completely futile–unless you personalize it–which allows you to use their own words against them to prove the fallacy of their position. …don’t let your own ego get in the way.

    1.) Acknowledge their point: “Yes, I see your point BUT how would you FEEL if someone treated YOUR mom or YOUR sister as a slave.”

    Whatever their argument may be and no matter How Frustrated you may be. This is how we remold their lunacy–one person at a time.

    2.) “I understand that the …blah, blah, blah sucks BUT …”

    …try it! and don’t expect them to just switch course all at once. Expect a bit of “blow back” from them. That’s okay and normal. It is just a knee-jerk reaction to the realization that for so long they have been completely and totally blinded and mistaken.

    3.) Finally, do not hold a grudge against them. Welcome them with open arms and never ever refer or hold their past stupidity over their heads.

    If you want to make a difference…

    IT WORKS.

    Report this comment

    dalebrendan  
    • EndTheFedNOW
      Posted on May 6, 2012 at 5:17pm

      911 was an inside job. Just like Oklahoma city and Waco 911 was to start turning our police in military. To pass bills to take away our liberties and freedoms. And of course (the republicans fav) WAR WAR WR WAR WAR WAR WAR WAR WAR WAR WAR WAR WAR WAR.

      Report this comment

      EndTheFedNOW  
    • riseandshine
      Posted on May 6, 2012 at 9:14pm

      That it was, End….that it most definitely was. But you’re not going to convince any of these people. You could provide the very best sources for them to look into it for themselves and they will ignore it….or they put up links of Popular Mechanics debunking 9/11 or the like…lol. It’s sad. It doesn’t help when certain well meaning people leave dumb links that actually hurt their case. Very sad indeed.

      Report this comment

      riseandshine  
  • blackyb
    Posted on May 5, 2012 at 4:05pm

    Tell this man they just got a new shipment of all kinds of “virgins” into hell. They await.

    Report this comment

    blackyb  
    • lukerw
      Posted on May 5, 2012 at 4:46pm

      We are a Sick Culture… as Compassion allows… Killers to Live!

      Report this comment

      lukerw  
  • blackyb
    Posted on May 5, 2012 at 3:57pm

    This man has eyes that are like two bottomless pools of evil. He needs to go where he can find his virgins. That dress he has on makes me wonder if it would be female virgins.

    Report this comment

    blackyb  
  • blackyb
    Posted on May 5, 2012 at 3:54pm

    Maybe Al Sharpton or Louis Farakhan will help him complet his sentence. They must want Virgins too.

    Report this comment

    blackyb  
  • Walkabout
    Posted on May 5, 2012 at 3:36pm

    Wearing a beard & a turban (or any other hat) is psychologically equivalent to wearing sun glasses to avoid the pressure of public scrutiny.

    Report this comment

    Walkabout  
  • barber2
    Posted on May 5, 2012 at 3:27pm

    One of the first of many decisions that made be abhor the Holder DOJ .

    Report this comment

    barber2  
  • SeniorCitizen214
    Posted on May 5, 2012 at 3:26pm

    What is he still alive for; send him to the hereafter already. But first shave his head, beard and feed him pork sausage for his last meal then cremate him. Leave nothing behind for his followers to remember erase him from being.

    Report this comment

    SeniorCitizen214  
  • bigben357mag
    Posted on May 5, 2012 at 2:36pm

    Wrap him in bacon, pour pig blood down his throat, and then shoot the S.O.B. !!!

    Report this comment

    bigben357mag  
  • Al J Zira
    Posted on May 5, 2012 at 2:31pm

    Why does this animal still breathe?

    Report this comment

    Al J Zira  
  • heavyduty
    Posted on May 5, 2012 at 1:59pm

    I like him with the beard, it covers up his UGLY real good. Before I executed him I would pull everyone of them out one at a time. His eyebrows too.

    Report this comment

    heavyduty  
  • hauschild
    Posted on May 5, 2012 at 1:48pm

    Classic waste of taxpayer money; a bullet right between the eyes would have sufficed.

    Report this comment

    hauschild  
  • trueamerican40
    Posted on May 5, 2012 at 1:34pm

    Just under 3,000 more life sentences to go! Hang in there, Sheihk. They ought to just shoot him and put it on Youtube. Fear of justice is the greatest deterrent to the wicked.

    Report this comment

    trueamerican40  
    • copatriots
      Posted on May 5, 2012 at 2:32pm

      That is exactly the problem……there is no “fear of justice”. It is almost 11 years later and justice has yet to take place! That is sickening!

      When the sentence for a crime is not quickly carried out, the hearts of the people are filled with schemes to do wrong. Ecc 8:11

      Report this comment

       
    • Suzanne D
      Posted on May 5, 2012 at 2:56pm

      You’re forgetting that these men WANT to be put to death … that would make them martyrs. The concept of “justice” in this instance is completely lost on them.

      Report this comment

      Suzanne D  
  • LaderaCa
    Posted on May 5, 2012 at 1:21pm

    Maybe a variation on Trial by Combat could serve as an appropriate test? It was believed that God gave the necessary strength to the righteous one to ensure victory. In my variation, these slimes would be allowed to swim 1 mile out to an awaiting ship. If successful, then they can go free.
    Sorry, forgot to mention that waters around Gitmo are shark infested, but given that they believe their cause is just, they would be protected. Thus their Trial by Combat would determine how their cause is really seen in the eyes of God. Apologies to PETA for inflicting cruel punishment on the poor sharks.

    Report this comment

    LaderaCa  
  • georgepatton
    Posted on May 5, 2012 at 1:08pm

    Now there’s a dude who needs to see the inside of a wood chipper while it’s running!

    Report this comment

    georgepatton  
  • vtxphantom
    Posted on May 5, 2012 at 1:04pm

    Shave that beard off of him, he may have an IED in there, not to mention lice, flees, and a hack saw.

    Report this comment

    vtxphantom  
  • nocomment
    Posted on May 5, 2012 at 12:49pm

    I can’t think of a better candidate for the phrase:

    AIM FOR THE HOODIE

    Report this comment

    nocomment  
  • Inlightofthings
    Posted on May 5, 2012 at 12:45pm

    He looks harmless enough…that KSM does…

    Report this comment

    Inlightofthings  
    • boomboom
      Posted on May 5, 2012 at 1:08pm

      OMG there she is again : Khalid Sheik Bridezilla.

      Report this comment

      boomboom  
    • AmazingGrace8
      Posted on May 5, 2012 at 5:43pm

      Jeffrey Damer was a nice looking man too. So was that nice looking man who loved certain types of brunettes & he drove a “love-bug”. So was that nice old man that picked up a young-girl hitch-hiker and cut off her arms & legs & left her for dead in the desert (amazingly, she lived). Jeckle & Hyde personalities…and then there are some that their ideology drives them to mass murder.
      I don’t understand why these prisoners are treated like royalty. Oh, now I remember, “the world is watching”.In many parts of the world, Good means “weak”. Strange concept to the current admin. and their dealings with countries that don’t care 2 Hoots about us and our Good. Be like them?…I’ll repeat the EPA leader, in polite conversation, made a statement , (I mean)..that is a pet peeve of mine(I am NOT perfect) when people start talking & then in the middle say, I mean…anyway on with the story, not “litter-lee” hang 5 rebels, but “smother them with regulations”….that is the “kinder & good-kind way” of dealing with people that just don’t want to FOLLOW OUR DIRECTIONS!
      Found guilty or not guilty just another reason for our enemies to hate America more. And the beat goes on.

      Report this comment

      AmazingGrace8  
  • nocomment
    Posted on May 5, 2012 at 12:44pm

    DON’T LET HIM NEAR YOUR GOAT!

    or your cat, dog, or son. And keep him away from the liquor cabinet and the sliced ham.

    Report this comment

    nocomment  
  • Walkabout
    Posted on May 5, 2012 at 12:26pm

    Liberals are so quick to give us a false dilemma. So quick in fact that you have to wonder if they are suicidal & want to take you with them. Obviously they hate America & most Americans.

    We either have to give up all our intelligence operative, methods & information or we have to let our enemies go free.

    They want us to set Khalid Sheikh Mohammed free? No not really. Liberals really want the president to give an abject apology to KSM & pay KSM reparations.

    Report this comment

    Walkabout  
  • BeingThere
    Posted on May 5, 2012 at 12:18pm

    Build a big tower, at least 300 feet, (don’t want to spend too much money on this animal), put him at the top and set it on fire. Then wait for him to jump. Televise it!!!!

    Report this comment

    BeingThere  
    • TSUNAMI-22
      Posted on May 5, 2012 at 1:29pm

      I can on board with this idea.

      Report this comment

      TSUNAMI-22  
    • rose-ellen
      Posted on May 5, 2012 at 3:51pm

      he brought us to the knowledge that there could be consequences to us for our policies against his people[propping up dictators for cheap below market oil prices, military bases, and support of european zionist ethnic cleansing et.c]. Prior to 9-11 we believed we could act in the world for our interests at the expense of indigenous peoples interests with impunity. Alquada launced the new millenium-of the people-all peopl a bottom up resistence to our meddling with them for our unjust benefitrs. yes they murdered innocents-so do we and always have for our interest. humanlife and its value is not what you’re angry about but simply that you finally got blowback and never thought you
      would [certainly not by a grassroots movement as oppossed to a competing superpwor say]they see themselves as freedom fighters-and we have murdered innocents when we deemed it necessary too.

      Report this comment

      rose-ellen  
    • BeingThere
      Posted on May 5, 2012 at 4:17pm

      We sure have a lot of traitors in this country now, time to deal with them!!!!

      Report this comment

      BeingThere  
    • paperpushermj
      Posted on May 5, 2012 at 11:43pm

      Rose it seems you share the Blame American First view with President Obama.

      Report this comment

      paperpushermj  
    • hypnos
      Posted on May 6, 2012 at 2:42pm

      @rose Ellen your generalizations are not based in fact even if they were 2 wrongs don’t make a right. Also if they weren’t pissed off at us they would kill each other or terrorize their own people with sharia law. Take your idiotic fu&ked up rants to the hills of afghanistan.

      Report this comment

      hypnos  
  • getourcountryback
    Posted on May 5, 2012 at 12:03pm

    They should give this piece of trash the same as he gave Daniel Pearl.

    Report this comment

    getourcountryback  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on May 5, 2012 at 12:02pm

    I will say only this much in regards to the mastermind of 9/11; with UBL dead one ghost of my past has been avenged; with this man, as anti-death penalty as I normally am (I prefer locking them away for life and welding the door shut) I can make an exception here; as this man is one who cost me my fiance that day.

    Executing him once is too easy of an ending in my book.

    Report this comment

    Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
  • riseandshine
    Posted on May 5, 2012 at 11:58am

    9/11 mastermind……LOL

    Report this comment

    riseandshine  
  • Individualism
    Posted on May 5, 2012 at 11:54am

    I hope he admits its an inside job.

    Report this comment

    Individualism  
  • LeadNotFollow
    Posted on May 5, 2012 at 11:45am

    …
    Why hasn’t this murderer been executed yet?

    Report this comment

    LeadNotFollow  
    • progressiveslayer
      Posted on May 5, 2012 at 12:11pm

      Extract as much information from the sub human then execute him,he admitted his role in it so it’s pretty straight forward from there.

      Report this comment

      progressiveslayer  
    • iampraying4u
      Posted on May 5, 2012 at 12:14pm

      Amen

      Report this comment

      iampraying4u  
    • Walkabout
      Posted on May 5, 2012 at 1:23pm

      progressiveslayer

      Extract as much information from the sub human then execute him,he admitted his role in it so it’s pretty straight forward from there.
      _____

      To a liberal a non-coerced confession given repeated to several different AP, UPI, & Reuters reporters is no proof at all. Add in the fact that they have committed previous acts of violence such as the 2000 USS Cole Bombing, the 1998 Embassy bombing & the liberal will still think if they can only get the right defense attorney they can set the terrorists free & blame America.

      The same hold true for people, who are so far right that they meet whacked out leftists.

      Report this comment

      Walkabout  
1 2

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