Media Invitation Announced for United States v. Khalid Sheikh Mohammed et al. Plea HearingDeputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks Announces Additional Replicator All-Domain[...]

The Department of Defense invites media to cover a plea hearing in the case of United States v. Khalid Shaikh Mohammad, Walid Muhammad Salih Mubarek Bin 'Attash, Ali Abdul Aziz Ali, and Mustafa Ahmed Adam al Hawsawi, scheduled for Jan. 6-17, 2025. The defendants are charged in connection with their alleged roles in the September 11, 2001 attacks against the United States. Mr. Mohammad, Mr. Bin 'Attash, and Mr. al Hawsawi have agreed to plead guilty. Mr. Ali does not have a plea agreement.

The proceedings will be conducted at the Expeditionary Legal Complex located in Naval Station Guantanamo Bay (NSGB) Cuba and will be transmitted to a closed-circuit television site at Ft. Meade, Md.

Media choosing to travel to NSGB will pay round-trip airfare ($800); coverage window is determined by flight schedule. Specific ground rules for coverage at NSGB will follow registration.

The primary purpose of this invitation is to cover the military commissions. Tours of the detention facilities are not available. Requests for reporting on Guantanamo topics unrelated to the military commissions-such as the naval base facilities or personnel-must be coordinated in advance.

Coverage windows:

• Jan. 4-11
• Jan. 11-18

*Media may choose to stay more than one week.

Registration: Click here for registration. Please select the "Khalid Shaikh Mohammad et al" case from the drop-down selection on the registration form. Enter the specific requested dates as shown above.

Deadline: All requests must be received no later than noon, Tuesday, Nov. 19. Additional travel logistics information will be provided separately. By submitting the online request form, interested media will begin the travel process, and the Office of Military Commissions will contact the media to with instructions on travel preparation.

CCTV Site: Media choosing to view the hearing, from the media-designated viewing site at Fort Meade, Md., must send requests via email to [email protected] with e-mail subject line matching the court case and the following information: name, position, news organization and contact information.

Contact the Office of Military Commissions Public Affairs Director, Mr. Ron Flesvig, for additional information: [email protected] or 571-372-3713.

Case information can be viewed at the Office of Military Commissions website: https://www.mc.mil.