USS Cole demands justice

Published: Wednesday, July 9, 2008 12:06 a.m. MDT Nearly eight years ago, 17 American sailors were killed and dozens wounded when the USS Cole, a Navy destroyer, was attacked while it refueled in the Yemeni port of Aden. This past week, the Pentagon announced it will seek the death penalty against Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri, a Saudi of Yemeni descent, who allegedly helped plot the attack. Charges include conspiracy to violate laws of war, murder, treachery, terrorism, destruction of property and intentionally causing serious bodily injury. He is the first person charged in the United States in connection with the attack. The Pentagon needs to demonstrate that the United States will vigorously defend its service members. Al-Nashiri will be tried in a military tribunal, once charges are approved by the Department of Defense. The... [read full story]