WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. special forces have seized a suspect the Obama administration calls an “alleged key leader” of the deadly 2012 Benghazi, Libya, attack that killed the U.S. ambassador and three other Americans.
President Barack Obama said the capture on Sunday of Ahmed Abu Khattala (hah-TAH’-lah) sends a clear message to the world that when Americans are attacked those responsible will brought to justice.
U.S. officials said Abu Khattala is being held on the Navy amphibious transport dock ship USS New York, which is in the Mediterranean Sea. He’ll be tried in federal court on terror charges.
That doesn’t set well with some congressional Republicans, who have attempted to hammer the administration about the killings in Benghazi. There have been 13 public hearings and more congressional hearings are to come.
Republican leaders say Abu Khattala should be taken to the U.S. Naval facility in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said the U.S. should skip the legal niceties and focus on interrogation.
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