Nashiri Reserves Plea in USS Cole Bombing Case
By Karen Parrish
American Forces Press ServiceU.S. NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba, Nov. 9, 2011 – The man accused of planning and preparing the USS Cole bombing and other attacks did not enter a plea during arraignment here today.
Abd al Rahim Hussein Muhammed al Nashiri, 46, is charged with “perfidy,” 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 civilians; attacking civilian objects; and hazarding a vessel.
The charges arise out of an attempted attack on the USS The Sullivans in January 2000; an attack on the USS Cole in October 2000, during which 17 U.S. sailors were killed and 37 more wounded; and an attack on the MV Limburg, a French civilian oil tanker, in October 2002, during which one crewmember was killed and about 90,000 barrels of oil spilled into the Gulf of Aden. If convicted, Nashiri could be sentenced to death.[emphasis mine]
A translator interpreted today’s court proceedings for the Saudi Arabian-born Nashiri. The chief judge, Army Col. James L. Cohl, explained to Nashiri his rights to counsel, including his right under the Military Commissions Act of 2009 to counsel experienced in death penalty cases.
Nashiri chose to appear today in his prison uniform, although Cohl advised him that he has the right to appear in civilian clothing, if he chooses, for future proceedings...
There's more, here.
