A U.S. military judge has scheduled a June 2028 trial date for Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and three other men accused of plotting the September 11, 2001, attacks, marking a significant development in one of the longest-running terrorism prosecutions in American history.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Scheduled Trial Date | June 5, 2028 |
| Defendants | Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, Walid bin Attash, Ali Abdul Aziz Ali, Mustafa al-Hawsawi |
| Venue | Military commission at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba |
| Judge | Air Force Lt. Col. Michael A. Schrama |
| Status | All defendants have pleaded not guilty |
| Prosecutors’ Request | January 2027 trial date (rejected by judge) |
Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, widely known as KSM, is the alleged mastermind of the September 11 attacks. U.S. prosecutors accuse him of developing the plot to use hijacked commercial aircraft as weapons against American targets and working with al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden to execute the plan.
He was captured in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, on March 1, 2003, and was held in CIA secret detention facilities for approximately three and a half years. During that time, declassified investigations confirm he was subjected to the agency’s “enhanced interrogation” program, including waterboarding and sleep deprivation. These interrogation practices have become central to the legal battle over whether statements made by Mohammed and other defendants can be used at trial.
In September 2006, Mohammed was transferred to the U.S. military base at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, where he has remained since.
On August 26, 2026, Air Force Lt. Col. Michael A. Schrama issued a ruling scheduling the trial to begin on June 5, 2028. The judge rejected prosecutors’ request for a January 2027 start date, determining that additional time was needed to resolve outstanding pretrial disputes.
These disputes include disagreements over what evidence can be presented, classified information issues, and legal challenges surrounding statements obtained during CIA detention. The scheduling order establishes a series of deadlines and milestones leading up to the 2028 trial date.
Under the current schedule, jury selection will begin June 5, 2028, with opening statements scheduled to begin 30 days after the members are empaneled.
Mohammed faces trial alongside three alleged accomplices:
| Defendant | Alleged Role |
|---|---|
| Walid bin Attash | Alleged co-conspirator in the 9/11 plot |
| Ali Abdul Aziz Ali | Alleged co-conspirator |
| Mustafa al-Hawsawi | Alleged financial facilitator and co-conspirator |
All four defendants have pleaded not guilty.
The case has been pending for more than two decades, affected by numerous legal and procedural obstacles:
The 2028 trial date is contingent on the case meeting a series of deadlines and milestones in the coming years. Judge Schrama has stated that, absent good cause, the commission will not grant extensions or continuances involving key procedural steps.
The Supreme Court is also considering whether to review the appellate court’s decision regarding the plea agreements. This ongoing litigation could further affect the timeline.
On September 11, 2001, four commercial airliners were hijacked by al-Qaeda operatives:
Nearly 3,000 people died in the attacks, making it the deadliest terrorist attack on U.S. soil.
| Year/Date | Event |
|---|---|
| September 11, 2001 | 9/11 attacks kill nearly 3,000 people |
| March 1, 2003 | Khalid Sheikh Mohammed captured in Pakistan |
| 2003–2006 | Held in CIA secret detention facilities |
| September 2006 | Transferred to Guantánamo Bay |
| 2008 | Formal charges filed against Mohammed and co-defendants |
| May 2012 | Arraignment at Guantánamo |
| 2024 | Defense Secretary revokes plea agreements |
| July 2025 | Federal appeals court throws out plea deals |
| August 26, 2026 | Judge Schrama sets June 5, 2028 trial date |
1. When is the 9/11 mastermind trial scheduled?
The trial is scheduled to begin on June 5, 2028, before a military commission at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba.
2. Who is Khalid Sheikh Mohammed?
He is the alleged mastermind of the September 11, 2001, attacks. U.S. prosecutors accuse him of developing and directing the plot to crash hijacked airliners into U.S. targets.
3. Has Khalid Sheikh Mohammed been convicted?
No. He and the other defendants have pleaded not guilty and have not been convicted of the 9/11 charges.
4. Why has the trial been delayed for so many years?
Delays have resulted from pretrial litigation, disputes over evidence obtained during CIA interrogation, changes in legal strategy, jurisdictional issues, and most recently, the revocation of plea agreements.
5. Who are the other defendants?
The other defendants are Walid bin Attash, Ali Abdul Aziz Ali, and Mustafa al-Hawsawi. They are accused as alleged co-conspirators in the 9/11 plot.
6. Will the trial definitely happen on June 5, 2028?
Not necessarily. The date is contingent on the case meeting deadlines and milestones. Additional legal proceedings or ongoing Supreme Court review of the plea agreement decision could cause further delays.
7. Where will the trial take place?
The trial will be held before a military commission at the U.S. naval base at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba.
8. What charges do the defendants face?
They face charges related to their alleged roles in planning and executing the September 11 attacks, including conspiracy and terrorism-related offenses.
If you've noticed a certain puff-sleeve top popping up in your feed lately, you're not…
Skywatchers have one more chance to see a lunar eclipse in 2026. A deep partial…
Margot Robbie brought timeless Old Hollywood glamour to the streets of Paris while filming the Ocean's…
The King of Queens star is bringing her unfiltered personality to Beverly Hills. Leah Remini has…
A teenage girl is in critical condition after being shot near a school bus stop…
Howie Mandel is sharing a raw and honest account of his mental health journey, revealing…