The Pentagon intends to challenge a recent ruling by a military court that deemed Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s decision to invalidate plea deals for several accused 9/11 co-conspirators improper, a defense official tells NBC News.
“We intend to seek postponement of any hearing on the pleas or pretrial agreements during that time,” the official said.
In July, prosecutors announced they had entered into pretrial plea agreements with Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, Walid Muhammad Salih Mubarak Bin ‘Attash and Mustafa Ahmed Adam al Hawsawi.
But in a shocking move days later, Austin withdrew the controversial plea deals and removed Susan Escallier, the convening authority for military commissions, from the case.
A judge in the case agreed, ruling last week that Austin operated outside his authority to invalidate the plea deals and declared the plea deals valid and enforceable.
Persons:
Lloyd Austin’s, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, Walid Muhammad Salih Mubarak Bin ‘ Attash, Mustafa Ahmed Adam al Hawsawi, Austin, Susan Escallier, Mohammed
Organizations:
Pentagon, NBC