Benghazi attack suspect arrested, will face charges in U.S.

By Andrew Rice
The Center Square

A suspect in a 2012 attack on a United States compound in Benghazi, Libya, that killed four Americans was arrested and will be prosecuted in the U.S., Attorney General Pam Bondi said on Friday.

Jeanine Pirro, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia will prosecute Zubayr Al-Bakoush in the United States on eight charges, including murder, arson, attempted murder and conspiracy to provide materials for terrorists.

“Today, President Trump is making sure that American justice is coming for those individuals responsible for the deaths of those four Americans,” Pirro said.

In 2012 members of the group Ansar al-Sharia killed U.S. Ambassador to Libya John Chris Stevens; and U.S. government personnel Sean Smith, Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty. Pirro said Bakush will be charged with murder of Ambassador Stevens.

Ahmed Abu Khatallah, a participant in the attack, was captured and brought to the U.S. to face charges in 2014. In 2017, Khatallah was sentenced to 22 years in federal prison after being found guilty of multiple charges including conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists.

“Let me be very clear, there are more of them out there,” Pirro said. “Time will not stop us from going after these predators, no matter how long it takes in order to fulfill our obligation to those families who suffered horrific pain at the hands of these violent terrorists.”