Khalid Sheikh Mohammed pleads guilty and avoids the death penalty after two decades.

Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, known as the mastermind behind the September 11 attacks, has reached a plea agreement with the U.S. government after nearly two decades of legal controversy. This agreement comes amid a context in which Mohammed, along with two of his accomplices, Walid bin Attash and Mustafa al-Hawsawi, have pleaded guilty in exchange for avoiding the death penalty. Through this pact, it is expected that the defendants will be sentenced to life in prison and will respond to the questions of the victims' families about their involvement in the attacks. The decision to plead guilty by these three men comes at a time when the judicial process in Guantanamo has been stalled for years, due to multiple legal appeals they themselves have filed, alleging torture during their detention. The agreement has been well received by the victims' families, who were notified by Rear Admiral Aaron Rugh, the chief prosecutor in the case. In the letter sent to the families, it is stated that the defendants agree to be tried and sentenced in a military court, which could lead to a definitive closure to a process that has dragged on for nearly 18 years. Khalid Sheikh Mohammed's case has been shrouded in controversy, from his capture in 2003 to his detention in Guantanamo. The long wait for a fair trial has raised criticisms about the effectiveness and morality of military tribunals. In the past, Mohammed has admitted his responsibility for the attacks on the Twin Towers and the Pentagon, although the circumstances of his confessions have been questioned, given that he was subjected to torture techniques, including waterboarding, leading many to doubt the validity of his statements. The impact of the September 11 attacks was devastating: nearly 3,000 people lost their lives, and thousands more were injured. This plea agreement is a significant step for the victims' families, who have sought answers and justice since that fateful day. Patrick White, a cousin of one of the victims, expressed that despite the wounds that will never heal, coming to terms with this decision was something he hoped for. Anthony D. Romero, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), has also supported this decision, arguing that accepting life imprisonment is the only practical solution after nearly two decades of litigation. This opinion reflects the growing consensus that the military judicial system has failed to provide adequate justice, and that a plea agreement could offer a measure of transparency and justice. The backgrounds of Mohammed and his accomplices are marked by extensive planning that culminated in the September 11 attacks. It has been documented how these individuals, led by Mohammed, designed a complex operation that involved recruiting individuals and analyzing various avenues to execute their plan. Despite evidence that could have prevented this attack, U.S. authorities failed to thwart the plan, ultimately resulting in one of the greatest disasters in modern history. Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, who is currently 59 years old, has been the subject of extensive media scrutiny since his capture. Images of him in Guantanamo, along with his confessions, have fueled a public debate about the ethics of torture and the military justice system. Although he has admitted to being the principal architect of the attacks, many continue to question the legitimacy of his confessions, given the circumstances under which they were obtained. Since September 11, the world has changed radically. The fight against terrorism has intensified, and unprecedented security measures have been implemented. This plea agreement could mark a new chapter in the history of the fight against terrorism, allowing the victims' families to begin to find closure, although the cost of the tragedy remains palpable. The situation in Guantanamo and the judicial process surrounding these conspirators has faced criticism both nationally and internationally. The global community has been closely watching how these events unfold, and the outcome of the plea agreement could set a precedent for future terrorism-related cases. In the end, this pact may not only provide justice to the affected families but also contribute to a broader debate on human rights and the legality of detention and torture practices. As the case progresses, it remains to be seen how events will unfold in the coming months and whether this agreement will ultimately bring some peace to those who lost loved ones in the September 11 attacks.