Terror trials

NEW YORK, Jan. 29 (UPI) -- The Obama administration, reacting to strong concerns voiced by local leaders, is reportedly considering moving high-profile terror trials from New York.

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder in November said several terror suspects, including confessed Sept. 11, 2001, planner Khalid Sheik Mohammed, would face trial in civilian courts not far from where the World Trade Center Twin Towers stood until the attack.

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg at first supported having the trials in his city but this week said studies indicated security measures for the trial would run $1 billion.

"It's going to cost an awful lot of money and disturb an awful lot of people," Bloomberg said Tuesday. "My hope is that the attorney general and the president decide to change their mind."

Bloomberg said a more secure location, such as a military base, would be better suited for the trials.

The decision to have the suspects tried in civilian courts rather than before a military tribunal was itself controversial. Supporters of having the military handle the trials say the scope of the attacks indicate the suspects should be treated as combatants rather than common criminals.