Overview
- Attorney General Pam Bondi said Zubayr al-Bakoush arrived at Joint Base Andrews around 3 a.m. after an overseas transfer of custody by the FBI.
- An unsealed eight-count indictment charges him with the murders of Ambassador Chris Stevens and State Department employee Sean Smith, the attempted murder of Special Agent Scott Wicklund, terrorism-related offenses and arson.
- U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro will lead the prosecution in the District of Columbia, with officials declining to disclose where or how the arrest occurred.
- Prosecutors say court documents identify al-Bakoush as an Ansar al-Sharia member who entered the Benghazi mission minutes after the assault began and tried to break into staff vehicles.
- Officials said the investigation remains active, noting earlier U.S. cases that led to lengthy prison sentences for Ahmed Abu Khattalah and Mustafa al-Imam.