A U.S. military judge has scheduled the trial for Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the alleged mastermind of the September 11 attacks, and three co-defendants to begin on June 5, 2028. The order, issued by Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Michael Schrama, comes more than two decades after the men were arrested and brought to the Guantánamo Bay detention camp.

The proceedings mark a significant step forward in a case that has been stalled for years, primarily due to disputes over evidence obtained during the defendants' time in secret CIA prisons where they were subjected to torture. The lengthy delay underscores the complexities of prosecuting individuals accused of orchestrating the deadliest terrorist attack on U.S. soil.

Schrama rejected a prosecution request to start the trial in early 2027, stating that such a timeline would not allow sufficient time to address and resolve pre-trial evidentiary and compliance motions. The judge emphasized the need for adequate preparation, noting that "a realistic trial date must account for the hearing and resolution of pretrial evidentiary and compliance motions."

The trial is expected to involve a jury of military service members. Following the jury selection, opening statements are scheduled to commence 30 days later. The defense will then have 60 days after the prosecution concludes its case to present its arguments, before moving into a sentencing phase.

Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, considered a key lieutenant of former al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, faces trial alongside Walid bin Attash, Mustafa al-Hawsawi, and Ali Abdul Aziz Ali. These four are among the alleged conspirators behind the 2001 attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people.

The case has seen previous attempts at resolution. In 2024, Mohammed and two co-defendants reportedly reached a plea deal that would have prevented the death penalty. However, then-Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin revoked that deal shortly thereafter, a decision that was upheld by a U.S. appeals court last month. This legal battle highlights the ongoing challenges in prosecuting high-profile terrorism cases and the government's stance on capital punishment.

Mohammed was captured by U.S. forces in Pakistan in March 2003 and spent three years in undisclosed CIA detention facilities before being transferred to Guantánamo Bay in 2006. His transfer and subsequent detention have been subjects of international scrutiny, with organizations like Amnesty International criticizing the continued operation of the Guantánamo facility.

The scheduled 2028 trial date means the accused will have spent over two decades in detention before their case goes to trial, raising further questions about justice delayed and the long-term implications of military commissions for terrorism suspects.