Charges Sworn

Charges are being sworn against Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri,a Saudi of Yemeni descent,for his alleged role in the 12 October,2000 attack on the USS Cole(DDG67).Among the charges are conspiracy to violate the laws of war,murder,treachery,terrorism,destruction of property and intentionally causing serious bodily injury.The attack killed 17 U.S. sailors.Mr.al-Nashiri was al-Qaida's operations chief in the Arabian Peninsula until he was captured in 2002.The charges against him must be approved by a Department of Defense official who oversees military tribunals.Although Mr.al-Nashiri is a prisoner in the U.S. detention camp at Guantanamo Bay,Cuba,many others detained in Yemen in connection with the attack have escaped or been released.The USS Cole was repaired and remains in service.