Military Families United

Washington, D.C. – Kirk Lippold, former Commanding Officer of the USS Cole and spokesman for Military Families United, released the following statement today after the Department of Defense announced that charges against terrorist Abd Al Rahim Hussayn Muhammad Al Nashiri had been filed and referred to a capital military commission, paving the way for a possible death sentence.  The charges allege, among other things, that Al Nashiri was responsible for the attack on the Cole, which killed 17 sailors and wounded 37 others. 

“Today’s actions are welcomed news for the families of the sailors killed in that fateful terrorist attack of October 12th, 2000,” Lippold said.  “They and all Americans have already waited far too long for a measure of justice in this case. I have long pleaded with past and present Administrations to use military commissions to prosecute all terrorists who act against the United States.  Al Nashiri must be tried, convicted, and held accountable for his actions and for taking the lives of American sailors.”