By KUNA
London : Britain’s Foreign Secretary David Miliband has admitted he has “some concerns” about the way that the United States plans to try six men accused in relation to the September 11 attacks.
US prosecutors have said they will seek the execution of Khalid Sheik Mohammed, the alleged mastermind of the plot, and five other Guantanamo Bay detainees they believe were involved in the 2001 atrocity that killed nearly 3, 000 people.
If sent for trial, the six men would be the first detainees to be brought before a military tribunal in Guantanamo Bay in connection with the attacks.
Miliband told BBC radio late last night “He (Mohammed) needs to be tried properly with a full defence and other legal rights”.
Asked if the tribunal would respect Mohammed’s legal rights, Miliband replied “We have some concerns about that.” British human rights lawyer Clive Stafford Smith has already described the decision to pursue the death penalty for the men as a mistake that would “anger the world,” but some of those who lost loved ones in the terror attacks have said they are pleased.
Stafford Smith, director of legal action charity “Reprieve”, said “Going for the death penalty against these men is absolutely the wrong decision.” “September 11 was one of the worst single crimes in history. But think about what is going on in terrorists’ heads: they want to be martyrs.” “If we execute them, we fulfil their greatest wish. They become heroes to their fanatical followers. That makes us all less safe,” the lawyer warned.