New York City, September 11 Attacks | featured news

The Obama administration on Wednesday defended plans to try the self-professed mastermind of the September 11, 2001 attacks in criminal courts despite harsh criticism from Republicans who say the trials are too risky.

Former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani and other Republicans say that putting suspected terrorists on trial in New York creats unnecessary security issues.

Five men accused of plotting the September 11, 2001 attacks, including alleged mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, will be sent to criminal court in New York from the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, an Obama administration official said on Friday.