9/11 accused face 169 terror charges

Six men have been charged with committing a total of 169 offences in the September 11 2001 terror attacks, the Pentagon said today.

US prosecutors will seek the death penalty, but the final decision will rest with judge Susan Crawford, the convening authority for military commissions.

The six men – Khalid Sheik Mohammed, Walid bin Attash, Ramzi bin al-Shibh, Ali Abd al-Aziz Ali, Mustafa Ahmed al-Hawsawi and Mohammed al-Qahtani – are all charged with terrorism, murder and violating the law of war.

They are also charged with conspiracy, attacking civilians, attacking civilian objects, intentionally causing serious bodily injury, destruction of property in violation of the law of war, and material support to terrorism.

Four of the men – Mohammed, bin Attash, bin al-Shibh and al-Aziz Ali – are also charged with hijacking or hazarding an aircraft.

All of the charges are in connection with the September 11 terror attacks on New York and Washington, Brigadier General Thomas Hartmann told a Pentagon press briefing.