A union representing New York City firefighters expressed disappointment with the plea deal that spared alleged 9/11 mastermind Khalid Shaikh Mohammad and two other terrorists from the death penalty. The Department of Defense announced that Mohammad, Walid Muhammad Salih Mubarak Bin ‘Attash, and Mustafa Ahmed Adam al Hawsawi had agreed to plead guilty to all charges, including the murder of the 2,976 victims listed in the charge sheet, in exchange for avoiding the death penalty.
The FDNY Uniformed Firefighters Association President, Andrew Ansbro, stated that the firefighters, especially the survivors of the September 11th terrorist attack, were disgusted and disappointed with the plea deal. He emphasized that while the terrorists escaped the ultimate justice, three more heroes from the FDNY were dying each month from World Trade Center illnesses.
9/11 Justice, a group representing families of the victims of the 9/11 attacks, also expressed deep concern over the plea deals. The president of the organization, Brett Eagleson, highlighted the importance of access to information from the accused individuals and criticized the closed-door agreements that prevent families from learning the full truth.
The defendants are accused of providing support to the 19 terrorists who carried out the attacks on September 11, 2001. The attacks resulted in the deaths of nearly 3,000 people, making it the worst terror attack on U.S. soil in American history. The three men, along with two others, were charged jointly in connection with their alleged roles in the attacks and are set to be sentenced in Guantánamo Bay on August 5.
The plea deal has sparked outrage among the families of the victims and the FDNY union, who feel that justice has not been served. The concerns raised by these groups highlight the need for transparency and access to information in cases of such magnitude. As the sentencing date approaches, the debate over the plea deals and the pursuit of justice for the victims of 9/11 continues to be a contentious issue.
