All Posts by
John Ryan
Sept. 11 Judge Suppresses Confessions Due to CIA Torture
By John Ryan | News & Features, Guantanamo Bay
The military judge's decision to suppress a defendant's confessions gave the defense a decisive victory in the case's core pretrial dispute.
April 11, 2025
Attorney-Client Protocols for Guantanamo’s Migrant Operations Remain Inadequate, Advocates Say
By John Ryan | News & Features, Guantanamo Bay
Advocacy groups want improvements to the attorney-access system for migrants held on Guantanamo Bay, contending that the current protocols are “grossly deficient."
February 27, 2025
Judge Set to Rule on Admissibility of 9/11 Confessions
By John Ryan | News & Features, Guantanamo Bay
The judge heard closing arguments on whether the CIA’s abuse of 9/11 suspect Ammar al Baluchi legally foreclosed the possibility of a voluntary confession to the FBI.
January 24, 2025
D.C. Appeals Court Blocks Guilty Pleas for 9/11 Defendants
By John Ryan | News & Features, Guantanamo Bay
A federal appellate court on Thursday granted a Justice Department request to stay the guilty pleas of Khalid Shaikh Mohammad and two co-defendants.
January 9, 2025
Stage Set for 9/11 Suspect’s Guilty Plea on Friday
By John Ryan | News & Features, Guantanamo Bay
The judge, prosecution and defense team for Khalid Shaikh Mohammad agreed to the script for his planned guilty plea.
January 8, 2025
Appellate Court Denies Rescission of 9/11 Plea Deals
By John Ryan | News & Features, Guantanamo Bay
The ruling means that the guilty pleas by three 9/11 defendants will go forward in January – at least for now.
December 30, 2024
Suppression Testimony Completed in Sept. 11 Case
By John Ryan | News & Features, Guantanamo Bay
Testimony over the impact of brutal CIA interrogations on Guantanamo confessions concluded during this hearing.
November 12, 2024
Judge Agrees to Delay 9/11 Guilty Pleas, Sets Early January Hearing
By John Ryan | News & Features, Guantanamo Bay
The judge granted a prosecution request to delay guilty pleas during the current session as the government prepares an appeal.
November 10, 2024
Sept. 11 Judge Upholds Plea Deals, Overrules Pentagon Reversal
By John Ryan | News & Features, Guantanamo Bay
The judge ruled that plea deals reached in July remain "valid and enforceable." The government plans to appeal.
November 9, 2024
Fate of 9/11 Plea Deals to be Argued Next Month as Judge Delays Retirement Again
By John Ryan | News & Features, Guantanamo Bay
Judge McCall will likely rule on the dispute that could change the course of the biggest case in U.S. history.
October 11, 2024
Government Forfeited Right to Seek Death Penalty Against Accused 9/11 Mastermind, Sources Claim
By John Ryan | News & Features, Guantanamo Bay
Plea deals reached in 9/11 case contained a provision that removed the death penalty as a possible sentence if the government withdrew without proper cause.
September 27, 2024
9/11 Defendant Suffered Brain Trauma from CIA, Expert Testifies, With Disputed Plea Deals on Hold
By John Ryan | News & Features, Guantanamo Bay
Dr. David Hanrahan testified for defense efforts to suppress confessions that followed CIA abuse.
September 21, 2024
Judge Denies Accused Mastermind’s Attempt to Plead Guilty To 9/11 Attacks
By John Ryan | News & Features, Guantanamo Bay
Editor's Note: This article was supported by The Pulitzer Center. Guantanamo Naval Base, Cuba &ndas…
August 7, 2024
In Shock Move, Defense Secretary Kills 9/11 Plea Deals
By John Ryan | News & Features, Guantanamo Bay
Sec. Austin halted plans by three 9/11 defendants to plead guilty to their roles in the attacks, stunning the Guantanamo court.
August 2, 2024
Three 9/11 Defendants Agree to Plead Guilty on Guantanamo Bay
By John Ryan | News & Features, Guantanamo Bay
The accused mastermind of the Sept. 11 attacks and two alleged co-conspirators have agreed to plead guilty to avoid a death sentence.
July 31, 2024