Hisham Muhammad Ahmed Asim, 19, was sentenced to death on Monday after a Yemeni court had convicted him of shooting dead a Frenchman last year.

The Specialized Penal Court ruled Asim, who worked as a guard at the Austrian OMV Group in Sana'a, murdered director of the office French Javor Henry and injured a UK security officer there under criminal motives and incitement from Al-Qaeda.

Asim went on a spree early on October 6, and he was arrested shortly after the shooting.

The authorities said criminal motives were behind the crime which also bore the hallmarks of Al-Qaeda.

Asim's trial opened in early November along with a trial in absentia for Anwar Al-Awlaki, who was sentenced to ten years in jail on incitement to kill foreigners charges.

The court also sentenced Othman Al-Awlaki, another AQAP member, to eight years in prison, on charges of inciting to kill foreigners as well.

The three formed an armed group to target foreigners and the shooting at the OMV office was a result of their plans, the court ruled.

The defendants may appeal against the conviction.