Two Al-Qaida Terrorists Sentenced to Death for Cole Bombing - 2004-09-29

Two al-Qaida militants have been sentenced to death in Yemen for their roles in an attack on a US warship four years ago that killed 17 American sailors.

Four other militants were sentenced to jail terms of five to 10 years in connection with the October 12, 2000 attack on the USS Cole in Aden harbor.

The Cole was preparing to refuel when two suicide bombers rammed an inflatable boat loaded with explosives into the side of the ship. Al-Qaida chief Osama bin Laden claimed responsibility.

The two masterminds facing death are Yemeni national Jamal al-Badawi and Saudi-born Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri, who is in US custody.

Al-Nashiri is also suspected of involvement in the 1998 attacks on the US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania that killed 224 people.