Sept. 11 defendants don't want counsel

GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba, June 5 (UPI) -- Three of five men accused in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks rejected court-appointed council during arraignment Thursday at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Defendants Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, Walid Muhammad Salih Mubarak bin Attash and Ramzi bin al-Shibh told military commission judge Marine Col. Ralph H. Kohlmann that they don't want to be represented by U.S. military lawyers at trial, the Defense Department said.

Charges against the three plus defendants Ali Abdul Aziz Ali and Mustafa Ahmed Adam al-Hawsawi include terrorism, conspiracy, hijacking and murder. The defendants voluntarily attended Thursday's arraignment, the Pentagon said.

Mohammed is the alleged mastermind of the Sept. 11 attacks, whom the federal government accuses of obtaining approval and funding from bin Laden for the attacks, overseeing the operation and training the hijackers.

Mohammed recited prayers during his court appearance before saying he didn't want legal representation.

"You do not want to be represented by any attorney?" Kohlmann asked.

"That's right," Mohammed answered.

Mohammed said he wanted to become a martyr for the attack and said he understood he faced the death penalty, CNN reported.

"That is what I wish. I wish to be martyred," Mohammed said.