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Benghazi attack suspect Ahmed Abu Khattala to face court in Washington DC Benghazi attack suspect Ahmed Abu Khattala to face court in Washington DC
(35 minutes later)
Ahmed Abu Khattala, the Libyan militia leader suspected of involvement in the 2012 attack on a US diplomatic facility in Benghazi in which four Americans died, arrived in Washington DC on Saturday morning. He was due to make his first appearance in court the same afternoon.Ahmed Abu Khattala, the Libyan militia leader suspected of involvement in the 2012 attack on a US diplomatic facility in Benghazi in which four Americans died, arrived in Washington DC on Saturday morning. He was due to make his first appearance in court the same afternoon.
"Ahmed Abu Khattala is in law enforcement custody," Bill Miller, a spokesman for the US attorney's office for the District of Columbia, told Reuters. He would not comment on where Khattala was being held."Ahmed Abu Khattala is in law enforcement custody," Bill Miller, a spokesman for the US attorney's office for the District of Columbia, told Reuters. He would not comment on where Khattala was being held.
According to reports which cited US government officials speaking anonymously, Khattala was being held under tight security in a federal courthouse.
Security had been noticeably stepped up at the federal courthouse near the US Capitol, it was reported. The US attorney's office later confirmed that Khattala would make a first court appearance on Saturday.Security had been noticeably stepped up at the federal courthouse near the US Capitol, it was reported. The US attorney's office later confirmed that Khattala would make a first court appearance on Saturday.
The Obama administration's policy is to try such suspects before civilian authorities. Republicans in Congress have called for Khattala, who is charged with terrorism offences, to be held by the military at Guantánamo Bay.The Obama administration's policy is to try such suspects before civilian authorities. Republicans in Congress have called for Khattala, who is charged with terrorism offences, to be held by the military at Guantánamo Bay.
Khatallah is charged with killing a person on US property, a firearms violation and providing material support to terrorism. Khatallah is charged with killing a person on US property, a firearms violation and providing material support to terrorism. Since being captured by the military and the FBI earlier this month, he has been held on the USS New York in the Mediterranean.
According to reports which cited US government officials speaking anonymously, Khattala was being held under tight security in a federal courthouse. Since being captured by the military and the FBI earlier this month, he has been held on a navy ship, the USS New York, in the Mediterranean. It is unclear whether information gathered from Khattala on the ship can be used in his trial, as he was on international waters and may not have been read his Miranda rights.
Information gathered from Khattala on the ship is unlikely to be used in his trial, as it was extracted while in international waters and without Khattala being read his Miranda rights. As to what evidence may be used in trial, Carl Tobias, Williams professor at the University of Richmond School of Law, told the Guardian: “This is difficult to know, because it is unclear what was asked in what circumstances.
Khattala's transfer to Washington goes against precedent, which has seen such suspects often tried in New York. “Some have reported that he was not given Miranda warnings and if he were not, it may be difficult to use his statements. However, there is a 'public safety' exception which the US reportedly may invoke.
Abu Anas al-Liby, a suspected senior al-Qaida figure captured in October in Tripoli, was also transferred to a navy ship for interrogation. He is now on trial in the city regarding the 1998 US embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania. He has entered a plea of not guilty. “[The supreme court] also requires that international captures be brought before a US magistrate judge without unnecessary delay and delay for purposes of interrogation violates this idea.”
Khattala's transfer to Washington goes against precedent, which has seen such suspects often tried in New York or Alexandria, Virginia.
Abu Anas al-Liby, a suspected senior al-Qaida figure captured in October in Tripoli, was also transferred to a navy ship for interrogation. He is now on trial in New York regarding the 1998 US embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania. He has entered a plea of not guilty.
Suleiman Abu Ghaith, Osama bin Laden's son-in-law, was taken in Jordan in March 2013 and convicted, of conspiring to kill Americans, in New York in March 2014.Suleiman Abu Ghaith, Osama bin Laden's son-in-law, was taken in Jordan in March 2013 and convicted, of conspiring to kill Americans, in New York in March 2014.
Referring to the stalled Guantánamo trial of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the alleged mastermind of the 9/11 attacks, Tobias said: “DC is much more convenient than New York for Department of Justice, State and FBI personnel who may be involved and remember the uproar over the possibility of trying [Mohammed] in New York.”
Chris Stevens, the US ambassador to Libya, was one of the Americans who died in the Benghazi attack, which occurred on 11 September 2012 and in which a mob stormed the facility. Witnesses said they saw Khattala directing the mob. In interviews carried out in Libya, he denied involvement and said he was trying to rescue victims of the attack.Chris Stevens, the US ambassador to Libya, was one of the Americans who died in the Benghazi attack, which occurred on 11 September 2012 and in which a mob stormed the facility. Witnesses said they saw Khattala directing the mob. In interviews carried out in Libya, he denied involvement and said he was trying to rescue victims of the attack.
After the capture of Khattala, Obama said in a statement: “With this operation, the United States has once again demonstrated that we will do whatever it takes to see that justice is done when people harm Americans.”After the capture of Khattala, Obama said in a statement: “With this operation, the United States has once again demonstrated that we will do whatever it takes to see that justice is done when people harm Americans.”
The others who died in the Benghazi attack were Sean Smith, Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty.The others who died in the Benghazi attack were Sean Smith, Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty.
The Obama administration's response to the attack and attitude to its presentation and discussion in the media has been the subject of intense political debate.The Obama administration's response to the attack and attitude to its presentation and discussion in the media has been the subject of intense political debate.
Republicans in Congress have used the issue to attack the White House and former secretary of state Hillary Clinton, who was in post at the time and is now seen as the most likely Democratic candidate for president in 2016.Republicans in Congress have used the issue to attack the White House and former secretary of state Hillary Clinton, who was in post at the time and is now seen as the most likely Democratic candidate for president in 2016.
Though several congressional investigations have already been carried out, House Republicans recently voted to begin a new inquiry, led by the South Carolina representative Trey Gowdy.Though several congressional investigations have already been carried out, House Republicans recently voted to begin a new inquiry, led by the South Carolina representative Trey Gowdy.