9/11 Defendants Were Protesting ‘Unjust System’ at Hearing, Lawyers Say

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Lawyers for five men charged before a military commission with conspiring in the attacks of Sept. 11 complained on Sunday that the process was rigged to lead to the execution of their clients, and they offered new details and explanations for a sometimes chaotic daylong arraignment on Saturday.

Several of the lawyers amplified their complaints about restrictions on what they could discuss — including a Dec. 27, 2011, prison order about “contraband” information that includes details about the historic perspectives of jihadi activities and certain information about detention operations.

A crucial part of the case will be the defense’s effort to present evidence, as mitigation against death sentences, of torture while the defendants were in the custody of the C.I.A.

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