9/11 Conspirators Reach Plea Deals

Three men accused of orchestrating the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, including alleged mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, have reached plea deals with U.S. military prosecutors. The agreements, confirmed by the Pentagon, allow the men to plead guilty to conspiracy charges in exchange for life sentences, thus avoiding death penalty trials. This development comes after two decades of detention at Guantanamo Bay and lengthy pre-trial proceedings bogged down by legal complexities and allegations of torture. Family members of 9/11 victims have expressed disappointment and frustration over the plea deals, feeling it is a miscarriage of justice. The plea agreements were outlined in a letter to victims' families, which stated that the men would plead guilty to all charged offenses, including the murders of nearly 3,000 people. The exact terms of the plea deals remain undisclosed, but the guilty pleas are expected to be entered as early as next week.