‘Ringleader’ of Benghazi attack in custody in US
Print Edition
THE suspected ringleader of a deadly 2012 attack on the American consulate in the Libyan city of Benghazi arrived in the United States yesterday in the custody of US authorities.
Four Americans including US ambassador Christopher Stevens were killed on September 11, 2012 when gunmen stormed the consulate and set it on fire. A CIA outpost was also targeted in the attack that shocked Washington and became a highly charged political issue.
“Ahmed Abu Khatallah is in custody,” a Justice Department spokesman said, declining to give further details.
The State Department has identified Khatallah as a senior leader of Ansar al-Sharia, a Libyan Islamist group it brands a “terrorist” organization responsible for a spate of attacks and assassinations.
US commandos captured Khatallah — who could face the death penalty — earlier this month in a covert raid on Libyan soil and he was transferred to the US after being interred on a navy vessel.
Special forces, working with FBI agents, carried out the stealth operation to seize Khatallah — whom the US has accused of being the attack’s ringleader — under cover of darkness and withdrew without losses.
Libya accused Washington of violating its sovereignty.
The raid two weeks ago represented a victory for President Barack Obama, who has faced intense criticism over his administration’s handling of the Benghazi assault and its aftermath.
Khatallah was flown to Washington by helicopter from the navy warship the “New York,” where he has been held since his capture, The New York Times reported.
He is now being held in a federal courthouse, it said.
Federal prosecutors have charged Khatallah with murder, carrying a weapon and offering material support to “terrorism,” according to an indictment. The first charge potentially carries the death penalty.
The charges reflect accounts from Libyan officials and witnesses who have singled out Khatallah as allegedly taking part in the assault that day.
Khatallah had been seen in public often since and gave an interview to The New York Times last year, striking a defiant tone.
But US officials dismissed suggestions he was “hiding in plain sight” and that the operation to capture him could have been conducted sooner.
The Benghazi attack raised questions about security at US missions and has been the subject of fierce political debate.
Republicans said the White House failed to respond decisively, then tried to hide some facts in the grisly episode.
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