A key participant in the 2012 attack on a U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya, appeared in a U.S. courtroom Friday to face criminal charges. Zubayr al-Bakoush, 58, is accused of involvement in the deaths of four Americans during the attack.
Benghazi Attack Suspect in U.S. Custody
Attorney General Pam Bondi announced al-Bakoush’s arrival in the U.S. at 3 a.m., but did not disclose details regarding the length of his custody or where he was apprehended. Bondi stated he will be tried in federal court in the District of Columbia.
“Al-Bakoush will now face American justice on American soil,” Bondi said.
Al-Bakoush appeared before Magistrate Judge Moxila Upadhyaya nearly 12 hours after Bondi’s announcement. He stated through an interpreter, “I have complete trust in the court and the jury. They will not be unjust.”
The 2012 attack on the U.S. compound in Benghazi sparked significant political debate, with Republicans questioning the response of President Barack Obama and then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
According to the indictment, al-Bakoush is charged with crimes including the murders of U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens and State Department employee Sean Smith, attempted murder of State Department Special Agent Scott Wicklund, and arson, said U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro.
Al-Bakoush, confined to a wheelchair and appearing to breathe heavily, sat with his head down during the proceedings. He requested water, stating, “I’m feeling dry.”
The Department of Justice requested al-Bakoush remain in federal custody, and a detention hearing was set for Feb. 11. Attorneys Karen Seifert and Michael DiLorenzo represented the Department of Justice.
Al-Bakoush was represented at the hearing by public defender Benjamin Schiffelbein, appearing on behalf of Jessica Carmichael, who will be his counsel moving forward. He requested the government notify the Libyan consulate of his whereabouts and revealed he holds a bachelor’s degree in library sciences.
He is the third person U.S. authorities have arrested in connection with the Benghazi attack. Mustafa al-Imam was sentenced to 19 years in prison in 2017, and Ahmed Abu Khattala, accused of being a mastermind of the attack, was sentenced to 22 years in prison in 2018.
House Republicans conducted six investigations into the Obama administration’s handling of the Benghazi attack and extensively questioned Clinton. Democrats accused Republicans of politically motivated inquiries. A GOP-led panel issued an 800-page report faulting the administration’s response but found no wrongdoing by Clinton.
The criminal case against al-Bakoush was initially brought during the Obama administration in 2015 but remained sealed for over a decade. The announcement of his arrival and charges was made jointly by Bondi, Pirro, and FBI Director Kash Patel, who all commended law enforcement efforts.
“President Trump is making sure that American justice is coming for those individuals responsible for the deaths of those four Americans,” Pirro said.
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