A man described by the Justice Department as a key participant in the 2012 attack on the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya, has been taken into U.S. custody and is expected to face trial in federal court in Washington, D.C., officials said Friday.
The attack killed four Americans and later became the subject of years of political and congressional scrutiny.
Attorney General Pam Bondi said Zubayr al-Bakoush arrived at Joint Base Andrews early Friday morning, landing around 3 a.m. Bondi said he would be tried in federal court in the District of Columbia.
Officials did not disclose how long al-Bakoush had been in custody before arriving in the United States, and they did not identify where he was apprehended. Bondi said he will face prosecution in the U.S. court system, calling it a step toward holding him accountable in the United States.
Indictment Alleges Murder, Attempted Murder, and Arson
U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro said al-Bakoush is charged in an eight-count indictment.
The charges include the murders of U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens and State Department employee Sean Smith, according to Pirro.
Pirro also said the indictment includes attempted murder of State Department Special Agent Scott Wicklund and an arson charge connected to the attack.
Authorities said it was not immediately clear whether al-Bakoush has an attorney representing him.
Case Began Under Obama and Stayed Sealed for Years
The criminal case against al-Bakoush was first brought during the Obama administration in 2015, according to Justice Department officials. The indictment remained sealed for more than a decade before officials announced the case publicly on Friday.
Bondi, Pirro, and FBI Director Kash Patel appeared together to announce the arrest and credited law enforcement work that led to al-Bakoush being brought to the United States.
Officials did not provide operational details about the capture.
