5 things to know about Benghazi terror trial
More than three years after his dramatic capture by U.S. special operations forces in Libya, Ahmed Abu Khatallah is set to stand trial Monday in federal court as the chief suspect in the deadly 2012 attack on the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya.
The trial of the alleged militant, held in an Alexandria, Va., detention center since his arrival in the U.S., has been long shadowed by the debate over how to try terror suspects: prosecuting them like criminals in civilian courts or by military tribunals at the U.S. detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Seized during the Obama ad- ministration, Khatallah was transferred to federal custody following questioning aboard a Navy ship. President Trump and Attorney General Jeff Sessions, however, have vowed to direct future enemy combatants to Guantanamo Bay.
Here are five things to know before the trial begins Monday before U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper in D.C. federal court.
WHO IS KHATALLAH?
Khatallah is accused of being the mastermind in the Benghazi attack that killed U.S. Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three others. It was the first time since 1979 that a U.S. diplomat was killed on the job.
Khatallah is accused being the leader of the attacks, which occurred on the 11th anniversary of
the 9/11 attacks. Three other U.S. government personnel — Sean Smith, Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty — were also killed in the assault.
The attack prompted a congressional inquiry that engulfed then-secretary of State Hillary Clinton over whether the Obama administration lied about the attack.
HOW WAS KHATALLAH CAPTURED?
Khatallah was seized June 15, 2014, as part of a secret operation involving U.S. troops and law enforcement personnel at the suspect’s home just south of Benghazi.
Following his arrests, Khatallah was whisked to the brig on a Navy ship, which took nearly two weeks to cross the Atlantic Ocean. His lawyers have argued the journey was deliberately slowed to allow investigators more time to interrogate the suspect.
For the first five days on the ship, Khatallah was subjected to interrogation without being read his rights due a civilian arrested for a crime.
WILL THE METHOD OF CAPTURE AFFECT THE TRIAL?
Unclear. At one point during the court case, Khatallah’s lawyers fought to have him brought back to Libya, claiming that the U.S. violated the Constitution by holding him on the ship without reading him his rights.
The judge accepted the government’s argument for transporting the suspect by ship and also found Khatallah’s Miranda waiver had been voluntary.
WHAT CHARGES DOES KHATALLAH FACE?
Khatallah faces 18 charges, including giving support to terrorists, murder and conspiracy, according to court documents.
In October 2014, Khatallah pleaded not guilty.
WHAT IS THE MAXIMUM PUNISHMENT, IF CONVICTED?
The Justice Department announced last year that prosecutors would not seek death, so the maximum the 46-year-old could face is life in prison.
The trial begins 9 a.m. Monday.