NEW YORK, April 30 (News Agencies) - Closing arguments are set to begin Tuesday in the trial here of four men charged in the deadly bombings of U.S. embassies in east Africa, thought to be the work of an anti-U.S. organization.
None of the four agreed to testify Monday as defense lawyers wrapped up their case. Under U.S. law, they have the right to refuse to testify.
U.S. authorities believe Osama bin Laden masterminded the near-simultaneous 1998 bombings of the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, which killed 224 people, 12 of them Americans.
The four suspects, on trial here since January, have pleaded innocent. All are believed to be members of al-Qaeda, bin Laden's group.
If convicted, two of the accused - Saudi national Mohamed Rashid Daoud al Owhali, 23, and Tanzanian Khalfan Khamis Mohamed, 27 - could face the death penalty.
The remaining two - Lebanese American Wadih el Hage, 40, and Jordanian Mohamed Saddiq Odeh, 35 - face life in prison.
Their joint trial proceeded quicker than expected and would probably be finished by July, rather than December as first predicted, lawyers said.
Bin Laden is one of 14 people charged in the bombings who remain at large.
The Saudi-born millionaire lives in exile in Afghanistan under the protection of the ruling Taliban militia, despite a $5 million reward for information leading to his capture.
One man suspected in the plot has pleaded guilty. Three others are in Britain awaiting extradition.
