Libyan suspect in Benghazi terror attack pleads not guilty in US court
Federal Grand jury court in Washington hears 'not guilty' plea from Ahmed Abu Khatallah over terrorist attacks in Benghazi after he was controversially captured by US special forces in Libya
The suspected ringleader of a deadly attack on the American mission in the Libyan city of Benghazi pleaded not guilty during a brief appearance in a US federal court on Saturday.
A federal grand jury formally charged Ahmed Abu Khatallah during the rare Saturday session on a single charge of conspiracy to provide material support and resources to terrorists for the attacks that killed US ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans two years ago.
Abu Khatallah is due back in the court, located nearly 2 kilometres from the White House, on Wednesday for a detention hearing, and again on July 8 for a status hearing.
He was flown to Washington by helicopter shortly after sunrise from a US Navy warship where he had been held and interrogated since his high-profile capture two weeks ago, a law enforcement official told reporters.
“We’re very confident in our ability to bring this case to prosecution and secure a conviction.”
The suspect, believed to be 43 and also known as Ahmed Mukatallah, listened to the court proceedings through an interpreter and raised his right hand.
