Sudan ordered to pay Cole families

NORFOLK, Va., July 25 (UPI) -- A U.S. judge in Virginia Wednesday ordered Sudan to pay $8 million to the families of those killed in the bombing of the USS Cole in Yemen.

The 2000 bombing of the destroyer left 17 U.S. sailors dead and 39 injured.

U.S. District Judge Robert G. Doumar issued the ruling in Norfolk, where the Cole is based, following a two-day trial. Doumar found in March Sudan helped al-Qaida terrorists in the suicide attack at the Port of Aden where the Cole had put in for a routine refueling stop. A small craft approached the ship and exploded, tearing a hole in the port side as the crew lunched in the galley.

"There is substantial evidence in this case presented by the expert testimony that the government of Sudan induced the particular bombing of the Cole by virtue of prior actions of the government of Sudan," Doumar said in his March finding.

The $8 million award is far below the $100 million the families had sought. Doumar said law mandated he limit damages, the Virginian-Pilot reported.