Families of 9/11 Victims See Progress in US Trial of Plotters of Attacks

The US government plan to allow family members of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks’ victims to testify in open court is a positive step in the case against the alleged plotters of the attacks, victims’ family members told reporters at the Guantanamo Bay military base on Wednesday.

GUANTANAMO BAY NAVAL BASE (Sputnik), Joanne Stocker — US federal prosecutor Ed Ryan has requested that the military commission allow family members of the September 11 terror attacks’ victims to testify in open court in front of the five accused individuals during hearings in October.

"Finally, the victims were brought forth on the record in court with the discussion of setting up depositions, and it was very encouraging to us that maybe, finally, there’s going to be light at the end of the tunnel," Diane Fairben, whose only child Keith was killed in the 2001 terrorist attacks, stated.

Pre-trial proceedings for Khalid Shaikh Mohammad, Walid bin Attash, Ramzi bin Shibh, Ammar Baluchi and Mustafa Ahmed Adam Hawsawi began in 2012.

Lawyers for both, the prosecution and defense, have stated they do not anticipate the trial beginning in the near future.

But family members of the victims said on Wednesday they are encouraged by the government’s decision to pursue victim impact statements ahead of the trial.

"It’s the first time I felt that there was finally some positive direction," Ken Fairben, father of the aforementioned victim Keith, claimed.

The family members also stressed the importance of holding the proposed depositions in open court in front of the defendants.

"A lot of people forget why we’re here. It’s a shame," Jim Samuel, whose son James was killed when a hijacked plane hit Tower 1 of the World Trade Center in New York City, stated.

Each of the five defendants is charged with conspiracy, attacking civilians, murder, violations of the laws of war, hijacking and terrorism.