The five suspected plotters of the 9/11 2001 attacks in the US, including the alleged mastermind, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, are to receive a full civilian trial.

The American Attorney General Eric Holder confirmed the alleged conspirators would be tried in New York. Holder also said the authorities would seek the maximum possible punishment. “These were extraordinary crimes and so we will seek maximum penalties…. I fully expect to direct prosecutors to seek the death penalty against each of the alleged 9/11 conspirators,” Holder said. The US military says Sheikh Mohammed has admitted to the September 11 attacks on New York and Washington, the worst ever terrorist atrocities on American soil. Currently the accused are being held in Guantanomo Bay military prison in Cuba. The move to transfer the men is being seen as a breakthrough for the White House, which has made closing down the controversial holding facility a top priority.More about: Al-Qaeda

Copyright © 2012 euronews