Khalid Sheikh Mohammed

Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the suspected mastermind behind the 9-11 attacks on the World Trade Center towers, was charged with murder and war crimes on February 11, 2008.

Fast Facts

1. Born: March 1, 1964, or April 14, 1965
2. Birthplace: Kuwait
3. Ranked #3 in the Al Qaeda chain of command
4. Self-declared mastermind of 9/11 from "a to z"
5. Captured in March 2003, in Pakistan
6. Moved to Guantanamo Bay in 2006
7. Trial begins: June 5, 2008
8. Faces death penalty
9. Confessed responsibility for 9-11 operation
10. Attorney: Prescott Prince

Capture

Mohammed was captured on March 1, 2003 in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. He was taken into U.S. custody and was held Guantanamo Bay. Mohammed and the organization Human Rights Watch have alleged that he was tortured while in U.S. custody. One of the methods they say was used, is the controversial intimidation tactic known as waterboarding.

Defense

Military prosecutors will be seeking the death penalty. Mohammad and four other defendants, are detained at the Guantanamo Bay detention facility in Cuba. The Pentagon assigned Prescott Prince as Mohammed's defense attorney.

Confessions

During a closed-door hearing in Guantanamo Bay in March of 2007, Mohammed testified and confessed that he was responsible for the 9-11 operation. He also confessed to planning a number of attacks and to his involvement in attacks already carried out. Some of his confessions include plotting to attack Heathrow Airport, the murder of Daniel Pearl and planned assassination attempts on Pope John Paul II and Bill Clinton.

Categories