Guantanamo to hold key hearings

The alleged mastermind of the 11 September attacks on the US and 13 other terror suspects are set to face hearings at the US Guantanamo Bay camp.

The closed-door sessions will decide whether Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and the others can be deemed enemy combatants and therefore face military trials.

They were transferred to Guantanamo after years in secret CIA jails.

This is the first time they have faced any court. But human rights groups say the hearings are sham tribunals.

'HIGH-VALUE' SUSPECTS

Khalid Sheikh Mohammed

Ramzi Binalshibh

Abu Zubaydah

Hambali

Majid Khan

The 14 key detainees

The hearings are being held with no defence lawyers present, and human rights groups say the panels of three military officials could consider evidence obtained by force.

The hearings do not rule on guilt or innocence, but are the first step towards charging a detainee with crimes.