The mastermind, Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, along with his two accomplices, accused of plotting the 9/11 attacks in the USA, have agreed to plead guilty to avoid the death penalty. The U.S. Defence Department said in a statement yesterday that Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, Walid bin Attash, and Mustafa al-Hawsawi reached a pretrial deal with the prosecutors. They were held at the US military prison in Guantánamo Bay in Cuba since 2003.

They were charged in connection with their alleged roles in the 11th September 2001, attacks against the United States. The attacks were planned to bring down the Twin Towers in New York City. 

Reacting to it, US Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell condemned the plea deals. He said the deal with terrorists, including those behind the 9/11 attacks, is a revolting abdication of the government’s responsibility to defend America and provide justice.