Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Available On Air Stations
Watch Live

Military

USS Cole Bombing Suspect Ordered To Appear In Court

USS Cole Attack
Getty Images
USS Cole Attack

The protests of accused USS Cole bomber Abd al Rahim Hussayn Muhammad al-Nashiri have been ignored by a tribunal judge, who ordered the alleged terrorist to appear in court Wednesday despite his failure to appear today.

The trial is taking place at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

American Forces Press Service reports Nashiri refused to appear in court today to protest the use of belly chains on his person.

Advertisement

But judge Army Col. James L. Pohl wasn't having any of it, and would not allow today's court proceedings to continue without Nashiri's presence.

Nashiri is accused of masterminding the bombing of the USS Cole while it was at a fuel stop in Yemen on October 12, 2000. The attack killed 17 sailors and injured 40 more. Nashiri was allegedly under the supervision of Osama bin Laden when he planned the bombing.

According to the Department of Defense, Nashiri faces the following charges:

[P]erfidy, or treachery; murder in violation of the law of war; attempted murder in violation of the law of war; terrorism; conspiracy; intentionally causing serious bodily injury; attacking civilian objects and hazarding a vessel.

Nashiri faces the death penalty if he's convicted.