WASHINGTON D.C. — The terrorist who was allegedly responsible for the attacks in Benghazi, Libya two years ago made his first court appearance Saturday in federal court, officials said.
Ahmed Abu Khatallah, aka Ahmed Mukatallah, was indicted for the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11 through Sept. 12, 2012, which resulted in the deaths of Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens, Sean Smith, Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty, officials said.
Khatallah entered a not guilty plea.
A federal grand jury indicted Khatallah, 43, on the charge of conspiracy to provide material support and resources to terrorists, knowing and intending that these would be used in preparation for and in carrying out a killing in the course of an attack on a federal facility, and the offense resulted in death, according to authorities.
The indictment was unsealed today in court.
“Now that Ahmed Abu Khatallah has arrived in the United States, he will face the full weight of our justice system,” said U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder. “We will prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, the defendant’s alleged role in the attack that killed four brave Americans in Benghazi.”
CNN reported that Abu Khatallah, with long graying hair and a beard, spoke quietly in Arabic with a translator as he was charged with one count of providing material support to terrorists. A federal grand jury returned a single-count indictment Thursday.
Standing before U.S. Magistrate Judge John M. Facciola, Abu Khatallah appeared subdued and briefly looked around the nearly full courtroom. Wearing a dark gray hooded track suit and sandals, the defendant addressed the court only once to say his name in a barely audible voice, the CNN report stated.
Abu Khatallah was appointed a public defender, Michele Peterson, who entered a not guilty plea. He was ordered to remain in custody until hearings set for July 2 and July 8, CNN report said.
The investigation is ongoing and the Justice Department can bring additional charges as the case continues.
“Capturing Ahmed Abu Khatallah and bringing him to the U.S. to face justice for his role in killing American citizens in Benghazi is a major step forward in our ongoing investigation,” said FBI Director James B. Comey. “Our work, however, is not over. This case remains one of our top priorities and we will continue to pursue all others who participated in this brazen attack on our citizens and our country.”
The New York Times reported that Khatallah said the attack grew out of a peaceful protest against a video made in the United States that mocked the Prophet Muhammad and Islam.
Khatallah, a Libyan national, was taken into custody earlier this month.
Khatallah is presumed innocent until proven guilty.