The United States Department of Justice has formally published an indictment against Zubair Al-Bakoush, accusing him of involvement in the 2012 attack on the U.S. diplomatic compound in Benghazi that killed four Americans, including then-U.S. Ambassador to Libya Chris Stevens.
According to the Justice Department, Al-Bakoush appeared on Friday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Moxila Upadhyaya in the District of Columbia, where he was formally presented with eight criminal charges. These include conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists, providing material support resulting in death, killing an internationally protected person, killing U.S. nationals abroad, attempted murder of U.S. nationals outside the United States, arson, destruction of property, and endangering lives within U.S. jurisdiction.
The charges stem from the coordinated attacks carried out on September 11, 2012, against the U.S. diplomatic compound and a nearby CIA annex in Benghazi. The assault resulted in the deaths of Ambassador Stevens, U.S. Foreign Service officer Sean Smith, and CIA contractors Glen Doherty and Tyrone Woods.
Prosecutors allege that Al-Bakoush was a member of Ansar al-Sharia in Benghazi and played an active role in the attack. Court documents state that at approximately 9:45 p.m., a group of around 20 armed attackers, including Al-Bakoush, breached the main gate of the diplomatic compound using assault rifles, explosives, and incendiary devices.
The attackers set fire to multiple buildings within the compound. When they were unable to access the secure area known as “Villa C,” where Ambassador Stevens was located, they ignited fires that filled the building with thick smoke, leading to the deaths of Stevens and Smith from smoke inhalation.
The indictment further alleges that Al-Bakoush later re-entered the compound, conducted surveillance of operational areas and the ambassador’s residence, attempted to access embassy vehicles, and withdrew before participating in a second wave of attacks launched from outside the southern gate. This second assault reportedly involved automatic weapons, grenades, and rocket-propelled munitions.
U.S. prosecutors say the attackers returned once more to loot offices and steal documents, maps, and electronic devices containing sensitive information before the attack ended in the early hours of September 12. The Justice Department said the case underscores its commitment to pursuing accountability for attacks against U.S. personnel regardless of the passage of time.
