A message said to be from Osama bin Laden threatens to kill Americans if the alleged mastermind of the 9/11 attacks is executed by the US.
In the 74-second audiotape aired on Al-Jazeera television, the al-Qa'ida leader mentions Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, who was captured in Pakistan in 2003. He is the most senior al-Qa'ida operative in US custody and is detained at the US naval base at Guantanamo Bay.
The US has charged Mr Mohammed with murder and war crimes in connection with the September 11, 2001 attacks. Officials have said they will seek the death penalty for him. Four of his fellow plotters are also in custody. The five suspects are due to be tried in New York for the 2001 attacks. "The White House has expressed its desire to execute them. The day America makes that decision will be the day it has issued a death sentence for any one of you that is taken captive," Bin Laden said.
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