The U.S. Department of Justice announced Friday that a man identified as a key participant in the 2012 attack on a U.S. diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya, is now in American custody.
According to the DOJ, Zubayar Al-Bakoush, a member of an extremist militia in Libya, is accused of taking part in the assault that killed four Americans, including U.S. Ambassador Christopher Stevens. The attack occurred on Sept. 11, 2012, the 11th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
DOJ officials said Al-Bakoush had been wanted by U.S. authorities for more than a decade. The Associated Press reported that investigators believe he joined a mob of armed men who breached the U.S. compound during a prolonged firefight that lasted roughly 13 hours.
What Happened in Benghazi
According to U.S. officials, at least 20 militants armed with AK-style rifles and grenade launchers infiltrated the U.S. diplomatic compound in Benghazi on the night of Sept. 11, 2012. The attackers set fire to the building while firing rifles and grenades, killing Ambassador Stevens and State Department employee Sean Smith.
Survivors escaped to a nearby facility known as the annex. The attackers followed and launched a second assault, this time including a precision mortar barrage. Two security officers, Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty, were killed when mortar rounds struck the roof of the annex. Officials said Doherty had moved to the roof to assist Woods after the first mortar round hit. A second round later killed Doherty.
Who Is Zubayar Al-Bakoush?
The DOJ said Al-Bakoush faces charges of murder, attempted murder, arson, and conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization. Authorities have not disclosed how or where he was taken into custody, nor when he is expected to make his first court appearance.
FBI Director Kash Patel referred to the arrest as a “transfer of custody,” and The New York Times reported that U.S. officials had long believed Al-Bakoush was living in Libya.
Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the arrest during a joint press conference with Patel and Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. attorney for Washington, D.C. Bondi said the U.S. government had never stopped pursuing those responsible for the attack and confirmed that Al-Bakoush will be tried in Washington.
Previous Arrests and Prosecutions
The U.S. previously arrested Ahmed Abu Khattala, described by prosecutors as the alleged leader of the Benghazi attack, in 2014. He was later convicted by a jury for his role in the assault.
Political Fallout
The Benghazi attack quickly became a major political issue in the United States. Republicans criticized the response by then-President Barack Obama and then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, arguing that the administration was unprepared and failed to provide adequate security.
A Republican-led congressional investigation lasted nearly four years and released its final report in June 2016. The panel cited security lapses and shortcomings in the government’s response but found no evidence of wrongdoing by Clinton.
Clinton and other Democrats said the investigation was politically motivated. Clinton stated at the time that it was “time to move on.”
The report was released just months before Clinton faced then-candidate Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential election. Some analysts have said the prolonged controversy surrounding Benghazi contributed to her loss in that race.
Ongoing Accountability
With Al-Bakoush now in U.S. custody, the case represents another step in the long-running effort by U.S. authorities to hold those responsible for the Benghazi attack accountable. Officials emphasized that the passage of time has not diminished their commitment to prosecuting those involved in the deadly assault.
