A defense official says the Defense Department will appeal a military judge’s ruling that plea agreements struck by the alleged mastermind of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, and two of his co-defendants are valid.

A military judge has ruled that plea agreements in the 9/11 case were valid, making it possible for the three prisoners accused of helping to plot the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks to be

A military judge said he would move forward with accepting guilty pleas from three defendants in exchange for life sentences. The agreements had been rescinded by the defense secretary.

A judge’s decision to allow plea deals in three 9/11 cases sets up confrontation with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who opposes the Guantanamo court ruling.