Story perspectives

Guantánamo Bay Prepares for Historic Death Penalty Trial

2/27/2026

Summary

Story summary

Prosecutors are preparing for the first death penalty trial at Guantánamo Bay, with jury selection set for June 1.
Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri faces charges for the 2000 U.S.S. Cole bombing that killed 17 American sailors.
This week, prosecutors sought to admit hearsay from 2011 interviews with Ahmed al-Darbi, a former prisoner, despite a deadline having passed.
The case has faced setbacks, including the exclusion of key evidence due to unethical conduct by previous judges.
A military judge denied a request to restart death-penalty proceedings for a mentally unfit defendant in the Sept. 11 case.

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Story summary

Prosecutors are preparing for the first death penalty trial at Guantánamo Bay, with jury selection set for June 1.
Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri faces charges for the 2000 U.S.S. Cole bombing that killed 17 American sailors.
This week, prosecutors sought to admit hearsay from 2011 interviews with Ahmed al-Darbi, a former prisoner, despite a deadline having passed.
The case has faced setbacks, including the exclusion of key evidence due to unethical conduct by previous judges.
A military judge denied a request to restart death-penalty proceedings for a mentally unfit defendant in the Sept. 11 case.