The trial of four key defendants in the September 11 attacks will begin in 2028, according to the New York Post, as reported by NUR.KZ.
The alleged mastermind of the attacks and three accomplices, held at Guantanamo Bay, will finally face court. The decision was made by a military judge two weeks before the 25th anniversary of the tragedy that killed over 3,000 people.
The suspects have been in prison since 2006, but the trial has been repeatedly delayed due to numerous legal disputes, including the admissibility of confessions obtained under torture. Previous trial dates were set but never materialized, and judges were replaced. Now, the trial is expected to start on June 5, 2028.
Relatives of the victims are outraged by the delay in justice. Some expressed hope that this time the date will be honored. "We've waited 25 years. Why should we wait another two? How much time is needed to prepare for trial? Why can't they start now? The victims deserve justice now!" said the widow of a detective who died on 9/11.
The publication notes that the case nearly concluded in 2024 when Mohammed, bin Attash, and al-Hawsawi reached a sensational plea deal. According to court documents, they were to admit their roles in the attacks in exchange for life imprisonment instead of the death penalty. Some relatives supported the deal, seeing it as a way to close the case and prevent the defendants from dying in custody before trial. But many others were outraged and insisted on the death penalty.
Amid public outcry, the Biden administration unexpectedly changed its position and tried to cancel the agreement. This led to years of additional legal wrangling without a trial. In June 2025, a U.S. appeals court officially rejected the deal.