The United States has captured a second militant in connection with the 2012 attacks in Benghazi, Libya that left four Americans dead, the White House said Monday.
“Yesterday, on my orders, United States forces captured Mustafa al-Imam in Libya,” President Donald Trump said in a statement. “Because of this successful operation, al-Imam will face justice in the United States for his alleged role in the September 11, 2012 attacks in Benghazi.”
The first suspect to be publicly charged in relation to the attacks, Ahmed Abu Khatallah, is currently on trial in civilian court in Washington, D.C. Federal prosecutors say that Khatallah planned and oversaw the attack, inciting others and ensuring that no one interfered. The defense has countered that Khatallah is a convenient “soft target” that the government is pinning blame on.
Khatallah is facing 18 counts, including murder, and has pleaded not guilty on all charges.
The 2012 attack resulted in the deaths of Ambassador Christopher Stevens, former Navy SEALs Glen Doherty and Tyrone Woods, and Sean Smith, a State Department information officer.
Khattalah’s trial is reviving controversy over the attack, including questions about the extremist groups behind the violence and the extent to which the attack was planned.
“The United States will continue to support our Libyan partners to ensure that ISIS and other terrorist groups do not use Libya as a safe haven for attacks against United States citizens or interests, Libyans, and others,” Trump said in his statement.
