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.

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