Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, also known as 'KSM', was one of Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden’s top lieutenants before his capture in Pakistan in March 2003. (AFP pic)WASHINGTON: The US Supreme Court on Monday rejected an appeal by accused 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and two alleged accomplices that sought to revive plea deals which were later revoked.
Mohammed and two others charged with involvement in the Sept 11, 2001 attacks - Walid bin Attash and Mustafa al-Hawsawi - struck pre-trial agreements to avoid the death penalty in 2024, during the administration of president Joe Biden.
After criticism by some victims' families, Biden's defense secretary Lloyd Austin ordered the plea deals to be thrown out, sparking a legal battle over whether or not such a move was permitted.
