Executive Summary
- FBI arrests Zubayar Al-Bakoush for involvement in the 2012 Benghazi attack.
- Suspect charged with the murders of Ambassador Chris Stevens and Sean Smith.
- Al-Bakoush was allegedly a member of the militant group Ansar al-Sharia.
- The indictment was sealed for 11 years prior to the suspect’s capture overseas.
WASHINGTON — Attorney General Pam Bondi announced on Friday that the Federal Bureau of Investigation has arrested a described “key participant” in the 2012 terrorist attack on the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya. The suspect, identified as Zubayar Al-Bakoush, faces federal charges related to the deaths of four Americans, including Ambassador Chris Stevens.
According to Department of Justice officials, Al-Bakoush has been charged with the murders of Ambassador Stevens and State Department information management officer Sean Smith. He also faces charges of attempted murder regarding State Department Special Agent Scott Wicklund, as well as arson and conspiracy counts. Officials confirmed that the suspect arrived in the United States early Friday morning aboard a flight from Misrata, Libya, which landed at Manassas Regional Airport in Virginia.
Court documents allege that Al-Bakoush was a member of Ansar al-Sharia, the militant Islamic group that claimed responsibility for the September 11, 2012, assault. Prosecutors state that the defendant entered the diplomatic compound approximately 15 minutes after the attack commenced and attempted to breach staff vehicles. The attack also claimed the lives of two Navy SEALs, Glen Doherty and Tyrone Woods.
Speaking at a press conference, Attorney General Bondi credited the collaborative efforts of the FBI, the State Department, and the CIA for the apprehension. “We have never forgotten those heroes, and we have never stopped seeking justice for that crime against our nation,” Bondi stated. FBI Director Kash Patel, who previously worked on the investigation as a national security lawyer, stood alongside Bondi during the announcement.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro revealed that although Al-Bakoush was charged under seal 11 years ago, the case remained confidential until his capture. Pirro noted that her office would lead the prosecution and that she has communicated with the victims’ families. “Time will not stop us from going after these predators, no matter how long it takes,” Pirro said.
Judicial Implications
The arrest of Al-Bakoush represents a significant development in a complex, long-running investigation hampered by geopolitical instability in the region. This prosecution follows previous convictions of Ahmed abu-Khattalah and Mustafa al-Imam, reinforcing the federal government’s commitment to extraterritorial jurisdiction in terrorism cases involving U.S. citizens. As the case moves to federal court, the proceedings will likely focus on forensic evidence linking the defendant to the scene nearly 14 years after the fact. It is important to note that all individuals, including Zubayar Al-Bakoush, are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
