Sept. 11 defendants act up in Gitmo court

GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba, May 5 (UPI) -- A U.S. military judge said a reputed al-Qaida terrorist had to be placed in restraints Saturday for his hearing at the Guantanamo prison in Cuba.

Walid bin Attash had to be hauled into court strapped to a chair for what the judge, U.S. Army Col. James Pohl, said were unspecified behavioral problems prior to his arraignment on charges related to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States.

Attash was one of five defendants to appear before Pohl in a hearing The Miami Herald said had its share of discipline issues. The newspaper said it was the first public appearance since 2009 by the defendants, who are accused of organizing the brazen attacks that left nearly 3,000 people dead.

Accused mastermind Khalid Sheik Mohammed, dressed in a turban and sporting a large reddish beard, refused to answer the judge's questions, the Herald said. Co-defendant Ramzi bin al-Shibh stood up and began chanting prayers. The courtroom guards did not make any effort to force him to stop and sit down.