Guide Note

Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the alleged mastermind of the September 11 attacks appeared before a military tribunal on June 5, 2008, for a hearing. Mohammed said that he welcomes the death penalty and wants to become a martyr.

Mohammed had rejected legal representation and will defend himself.

Fast Facts

1. Chief military judge: Marine Col. Ralph Kohlmann
2. Rejected lawyers because he only believes in Sharia Law
3. Judge ordered lawyers to remain as standby council
4. Facing death penalty
5. Claimed he did not trust the translators

"This is what I want, I'm looking to be a martyr for long time."¹ —Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, AFP

"I know they are very qualified, they are the best team they told me. But the problem is their president, George Bush."¹—Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, AFP

"We've been (imprisoned) five years, and they torture (...) and they transferred us to Inquisition Land in Guantanamo."¹—Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, AFP

"All American constitutions are evil, they are not the laws of God."¹—Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, AFP

A military tribunal is a court set up during wartime that operates outside of traditional criminal courts. In 2006, George W. Bush ordered that Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and other detainees at Guantanamo Bay be tried before a military tribunal.

Organizations including Human Rights Watch have claimed that the system lacks credibility. There have been reports that the detainees were tortured using the controversial technique known as waterboarding.

In late June of 2008 the United States Supreme Court will rule on the prisoners rights at Guantanamo Bay which may delay Mohammed's case.²

1. Ramzi Binalshibh
2. Mustafa Ahmad al-Hawsawi
3. Ali Abd al-Aziz Ali
4. Walid Bin Attash