9/11 Mastermind Scolds US for 'Torture,' Killings

The accused mastermind of the 9/11 attacks yesterday took the US to task for "torturing" people in the name of national security and killing "millions." Many "can kill people under the name of national security, and torture people under the name of national security," said Khalid Sheikh Mohammed during a pretrial hearing at Guantanamo Bay. "This is a resilient definition," he added, referring to the term national security. "Every dictator can put on shoes to step on this definition."

He also referred to the disposal of Osama bin Laden's body after he was shot by US forces. "I don't want to be long, but I can say the president can throw someone in the sea in the name of national security," Mohammed said. Military judge Captain James Pohl granted Mohammed the opportunity to speak, but then cut him off, warning that neither he nor the other four defendants could use the time to make personal observations. The defense and prosecution are wrangling over documents in the case, some of which the prosecution argues should remain classified because of national security concerns, reports CNN. (More 9/11 attacks stories.)