US News: Controversial plea deal for 9/11 suspects revoked
The plea deal that would have allowed the accused men of planning the 9/11 attacks to avoid death sentences has been revoked by the US defense secretary.
It was announced on Wednesday that prosecutors had come to an agreement for Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, Walid bin Attash, and Mustafa al-Hawsawi to plead guilty to conspiracy charges.
However, just two days later, Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin has decided to reject the deal, which caused controversy as it would have meant the trio would only face life imprisonment instead of the death penalty at Guantanamo Bay.
Mr Austin has removed Susan Escallier, who is in charge of the Guantanamo war court, from her authority to make pre-trial agreements in the case and has taken on the responsibility himself.
