Defense Secretary Nullifies Guantanamo Bay Plea Deals in 9/11 Cases

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has nullified plea deals for 9/11 defendants, reinstating them as death-penalty cases. The decision comes after a plea agreement reached by the military commission at Guantanamo Bay. Austin's move has sparked varied reactions, garnering criticism from 9/11 victims' families and political figures.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has overturned a plea agreement for the accused mastermind of the September 11, 2001, attacks and two other defendants, reinstating the cases as death-penalty eligible.

This decision follows an announcement that retired Brig. Gen. Susan Escallier had reached plea bargains with Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and two co-defendants. Families of the nearly 3,000 people killed in the al-Qaida attacks received letters stating the plea agreements would have led to life sentences at most.

Austin cited the significance of the decision as his reasoning for nullifying the plea agreements, originally backed by the military commission at Guantanamo Bay. His move has generated mixed reactions, with some 9/11 victims' families condemning the deal and politicians, such as Republican Sen. Tom Cotton, criticizing the administration.

(With inputs from agencies.)