The suspected Sept. 11 conspirators held at the Guantanamo Bay detention center could be arraigned the day before Inauguration Day, sources tell FOX News, even though President-elect Barack Obama is planning to order the facility shut down.
The reasons behind the possible arraignment are described as administrative. But defense attorneys were told in an e-mail from the court clerk Tuesday that they should be prepared to argue whether an arraignment is necessary, and that an arraignment could take place.
This means some prisoners could enter guilty pleas the day before Obama is sworn into the office and two days before the president-elect is expected to issue an executive order shutting down Guantanamo.
One source told FOX News that guilty pleas would complicate the incoming administration's efforts to put military commissions on hold, specifically for the Sept. 11 conspiracy.
Though the military commissions are seen by the Obama administration as unfair, some of the conspirators, including alleged mastermind of the attacks Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, have made clear they want to die since they want to become martyrs.
Obama's attempt to shut down the controversial Guantanamo prison would not have any immediate effects. Rather, according to one source, Obama will order the facility to be closed as quickly as possible while leaving room for national security implications to be considered.
FOX News' Catherine Herridge contributed to this report.
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