The U.S. Justice Department announced on Friday the apprehension of Zubayar Al-Bakoush, an individual accused of participating in the assault on the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya, in 2012, an incident that led to the deaths of four Americans and has since been a contentious political subject.
Al-Bakoush, aged 58, is alleged to be affiliated with an extremist militia group in Libya and was sought by U.S. authorities for over ten years. Newly unsealed court documents specify charges including joining a mob that breached the diplomatic compound's front gates armed with assault rifles and explosives, resulting in prolonged violence and fires causing fatalities.
Early Friday, Al-Bakoush was transferred into U.S. custody at a Virginia airfield, as stated by FBI Director Kash Patel. Upon arrival, he faced federal charges in Washington D.C. encompassing murder, attempted murder, arson, and conspiring to provide material support to designated terrorist entities.
At a federal court appearance later that day, Al-Bakoush, wearing a gray hoodie and utilizing a wheelchair, did not enter a plea and responded to procedural inquiries through a remotely located interpreter. The court ordered his detention pending a hearing provisionally scheduled for the following week.
Expressing confidence in the judicial process via his interpreter, Al-Bakoush remarked he trusts the court and jury to deliver justice in his case.
This arrest is part of a broader Justice Department initiative to pursue accountability for those responsible for the fatal attack on Ambassador Chris Stevens, State Department employee Sean Smith, and security contractors Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty. Previous captures include another key Libyan militant apprehended by U.S. forces and convicted, along with an additional convicted participant currently incarcerated.
Attorney General Pam Bondi reinforced the Department’s commitment to pursuing justice, emphasizing that efforts have not ceased since the attack. She announced the arrest alongside FBI Director Patel and U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, who will oversee the prosecution in Washington.
The Benghazi attack on September 11, 2012, involved over 20 militants armed with AK-47 rifles and grenade launchers who stormed the consulate, igniting fires and launching sustained attacks on the compound and a nearby U.S. annex. The assaults resulted in the deaths of four Americans, drawing scrutiny and sparking political disputes in Washington about security preparedness and administrative response.
Congressional review led by Republicans criticized security lapses and delayed military reaction, though exonerating then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton from wrongdoing. The report elicited contrasting political responses, with some viewing the findings as politically motivated and others as insufficiently conclusive.
The indictment asserts Al-Bakoush’s involvement in both direct assault actions and reconnaissance and attempts to break into vehicles used by diplomatic staff. Prior prosecutions, such as that of Ahmed Abu Khattala, who was convicted and sentenced to over 20 years in prison, and Mustafa al-Imam, also convicted, highlight ongoing U.S. legal actions addressing the Benghazi incident.
U.S. Attorney Pirro underscored the lasting impact of the Benghazi events on Americans and affirmed the continued resolve to pursue all individuals involved regardless of the time elapsed, honoring the victims' families' suffering caused by violent terrorism.
Note: This report corrects previous statements concerning the suspect's arrival location; he arrived at a Virginia airfield rather than Joint Base Andrews in Maryland as earlier reported.