Alleged plotter of 1998 U.S. Embassy bombings dies before trial

Abu Anas al-Libi, 50, died on Friday at a New York hospital "due to sudden complications arising out of his long-standing medical problems," U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara wrote in a court filing reported by NBC News.

Al-Libi allegedly played a major role in orchestrating the 1998 bombings of two U.S. embassies in Africa. The al Qaeda-backed attacks on the embassies in Kenya and Tanzania killed 224 people, 12 of whom were Americans. U.S. commandos arrested al-Libi at his Tripoli property in October 2013, following more than a decade during which al-Libi was wanted by the U.S. and had a $5 million reward for his capture.

He was brought to New York to stand trial, but he reportedly suffered from liver disease stemming from hepatitis C. Al-Libi's wife told reporters that her husband underwent liver surgery three weeks ago, and that officials moved him back to prison too soon, where he suffered complications.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up