Ahmed Abu Khattala
| Ahmed Abu Khattala | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Ahmed Abu Khattala ( أحمد أبو ختالة) 1971 (age 43–44) |
| Nationality | Libyan |
| Occupation | construction contractor[1] |
| Known for | Suspected of participating in the 2012 Benghazi attack |
Criminal charge |
Murder (superseding indictment October 2014)[2] Killing a person in the course of an attack on a federal facility, providing material support to terrorists, using a firearm during a crime (July 2013). |
Ahmed Abu Khattala (born c. 1971) is an incarcerated Muslim Libyan, who commanded a small militia during the 2011 uprising against Qaddafi.[1] He is suspected of participating in the 2012 Benghazi attack on the American diplomatic mission at Benghazi, in which Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens and three other Americans were killed.[3]
In a December 2013 article about the attack, the New York Times described him as a central figure in the attack[4] according to Libyan witnesses, although he had no known affiliations with terrorist groups.[1]
Abu Khattala denies killing the Americans or being part of the attack.[1]
Early life
Abu Khattala grew up in el-Leithi, a Benghazi neighborhood named for the River of Oblivion.[1] He spent most of his adult life in Abu Salim prison in Tripoli, jailed by the Qaddafi government for his Islamic extremism.[1]
Role in 2011 uprising against Qaddafi
During the 2011 uprising against Qaddafi in Libya, he formed his own militia of "perhaps two dozen fighters", naming it Obeida Ibn Al Jarra for an early Islamic general.[1]
In June, he marched in a parade which also included February 17, Libya Shield, the Supreme Security Committee, and Ansar al-Shariah,[1] a "group of as many as 200 militants" who had broken away from the other militias in 2012 in protest of those militia's support for parliamentary elections in Libya.[1]
Political views
He opposes American involvement in Libya and in interviews with the New York Times stated that “the enmity between the American government and the peoples of the world is an old case.” In regards to the role of the air campaign of NATO that overthrew Colonel Qaddafi, he believes that if NATO had not intervened, “God would have helped us.” He also claimed that, “We know the United States was working with both sides” and considering “splitting up" Libya.[1]
Charges
Witnesses of the September 11, 2012 attack on the American diplomatic compound in Benghazi say they saw him leading the attack.[5] On 6 August 2013, U.S. officials confirmed that Abu Khattala had been charged with playing a significant role in the attack. According to NBC, the charges were filed under seal in Washington, DC in late July 2013.[6]
Capture
On the weekend of June 14 to June 15, 2014, U.S. Delta Force special operations personnel captured him in a covert mission in Libya.[7][8][9] Khattala is one of the suspected leaders of the 2012 Benghazi attack. He has been brought to Washington D.C. aboard the amphibious transport dock USS New York and is expected to face trial in a U.S. criminal court.[10]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 Kirkpatrick, David D.; Suliman Ali Zway; Osama Alfitori; Mayy El Sheikh (December 28, 2013). "A Deadly Mix in Benghazi". New York Times. Retrieved 29 December 2013.
- ↑ http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2014/10/14/benghazi-terror-attack-suspect-indicted-on-new-charges/
- ↑ Calderone, Michael. "Libya Attack Suspect, Reportedly In Hiding, Spends Hours With Reporters". 10/19/2012. Huffington Post. Retrieved 3 January 2013.
- ↑ Stanglin, Doug (December 28, 2013). "'N.Y. Times' probe finds no al-Qaeda link to Benghazi raid". USA Today. Retrieved 3 January 2014.
- ↑ Kirkpatrick, David D. (17 October 2012). "Libya Singles Out Islamist as a Commander in Consulate Attack, Libyans Say". New York Times.
- ↑ "US charges Libyan with role in deadly attack on Benghazi consulate - Investigations". Investigations.nbcnews.com. 2012-09-11. Retrieved 2013-11-14.
- ↑ "U.S. captures Benghazi suspect in secret raid". Washington Post. June 17, 2014.
- ↑ "US seizes Benghazi raid 'ringleader' Ahmed Abu Khattala". BBC News. 17 June 2014. Retrieved 28 June 2014.
- ↑ "Elite Delta Force Commandos Capture Ahmed Abu Khattala in Midnight Benghazi Raid". Yahoo! News UK & Ireland. 18 June 2014. Retrieved 28 June 2014.
- ↑ "Benghazi Suspect Ahmed Abu Khattala Could be in U.S. by Week's End". NBC News. 23 June 2014. Retrieved 28 June 2014.