This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-29694230
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Benghazi raid 'ringleader' pleads not guilty | Benghazi raid 'ringleader' pleads not guilty |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| The suspected ringleader of the September 2012 raid on a US diplomatic post in the Libyan city of Benghazi has pleaded not guilty to all charges. | The suspected ringleader of the September 2012 raid on a US diplomatic post in the Libyan city of Benghazi has pleaded not guilty to all charges. |
| Ahmed Abu Khattala, 43, appeared in court on 17 new charges, some of which may be punishable by death. | Ahmed Abu Khattala, 43, appeared in court on 17 new charges, some of which may be punishable by death. |
| He did not speak during the hearing in Washington but his lawyer entered the plea on his behalf. | He did not speak during the hearing in Washington but his lawyer entered the plea on his behalf. |
| US Ambassador Chris Stevens and three others were killed in the attack, which became a political lightning rod. | US Ambassador Chris Stevens and three others were killed in the attack, which became a political lightning rod. |
| The new charges include four counts of killing a person in the course of an attack on a federal facility. | The new charges include four counts of killing a person in the course of an attack on a federal facility. |
| Other new charges levelled against Mr Khattala include one count of murder of an internationally protected person and one count of providing material support and resources to terrorists resulting in death. | Other new charges levelled against Mr Khattala include one count of murder of an internationally protected person and one count of providing material support and resources to terrorists resulting in death. |
| Previous charges denied by Mr Khattala include providing material support and resources to terrorists including himself; killing a person on a federal facility; and damaging property of the US by fire and explosives resulting in death. | Previous charges denied by Mr Khattala include providing material support and resources to terrorists including himself; killing a person on a federal facility; and damaging property of the US by fire and explosives resulting in death. |
| Ahmed Abu Khattala | Ahmed Abu Khattala |
| • Native of Benghazi in eastern Libya | • Native of Benghazi in eastern Libya |
| • Construction worker by trade | • Construction worker by trade |
| • Spent several years in Col Muammar Gaddafi's notorious Abu Salim prison in Tripoli | • Spent several years in Col Muammar Gaddafi's notorious Abu Salim prison in Tripoli |
| • Formed his own small militia during the anti-Gaddafi uprising | • Formed his own small militia during the anti-Gaddafi uprising |
| • Denies any links to al-Qaeda but has expressed admiration for it | • Denies any links to al-Qaeda but has expressed admiration for it |
| • Also denies any role in the attack on the US embassy in 2012, but eyewitnesses report him being there | • Also denies any role in the attack on the US embassy in 2012, but eyewitnesses report him being there |
| • US state department says he is a senior leader in Islamist group Ansar al-Sharia | • US state department says he is a senior leader in Islamist group Ansar al-Sharia |
| Profile of Abu Khattala | Profile of Abu Khattala |
| Mr Khattala was taken into custody in a secret US military raid in Libya on 15 June. He was subsequently indicted on 26 June in connection with the attack on the US facility. | Mr Khattala was taken into custody in a secret US military raid in Libya on 15 June. He was subsequently indicted on 26 June in connection with the attack on the US facility. |
| On 11 September 2012, gunmen stormed the US consulate in Benghazi and set it on fire. | On 11 September 2012, gunmen stormed the US consulate in Benghazi and set it on fire. |
| In addition to Mr Stevens, information technology specialist Sean Smith and security workers and ex-Navy Seals Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty were killed. | In addition to Mr Stevens, information technology specialist Sean Smith and security workers and ex-Navy Seals Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty were killed. |
| The White House initially said the attack stemmed from anti-American protests over a crude video produced in the US that was deemed insulting to Islam. | The White House initially said the attack stemmed from anti-American protests over a crude video produced in the US that was deemed insulting to Islam. |
| Government investigators soon determined it was an organised attack planned by local militias. | Government investigators soon determined it was an organised attack planned by local militias. |
| In subsequent years, Republicans have accused President Barack Obama's administration of compromising security, a failure of intelligence and covering up the involvement of militant groups in order to assist the president's re-election campaign. |