By Charlie Savage, New York Times, October 16/17, 2012

FORT MEADE, Md. — Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, the self-described architect of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, and two men accused of being co-conspirators were absent from a military commission hearing on Tuesday as a military judge took up a dispute over whether the defendants will be permitted to wear camouflage clothing to the courtroom at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. [....]

Clothing dominated the morning session, which was watched by reporters at the base and was also shown at several viewing centers in the United States, including at Fort Meade. [....] The defendants are accused of being unlawful combatants, meaning they do not get the same legal immunities as regular soldiers under the laws of war. One important factor in making someone a lawful combatant is that he wears clothing that distinguishes himself from a civilian. The lawyers said that refusing to let their clients wear military-style clothing would help prosecutors make that case. [....]