Benghazi attack suspect makes first US court appearance

A suspect captured by US forces in Libya last week for his role in the 2012 Benghazi attack was ordered to be held without bond following his first appearance in a District Court here, the media reported.

Mustafa al-Imam was captured by American commandos on orders from President Donald Trump and flown to a US Navy ship before his transfer to Washington, reports CNN.

He arrived in Washington on Friday.

Al-Imam was charged with three felony offences, two of which carry a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

He will have another detention and preliminary hearing on November 9 after it was determined his defence attorney had not properly informed al-Imam of the charges against him.

Four Americans, Ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens, State Department information officer Sean Smith, CIA contractors Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty, were killed after two US government locations were attacked on September 11, 2012, CNN reported.

The US government has video of al-Imam present at one of the two sites of the attacks, although it was not clear which of those sites he was seen at.

Al-Imam is the second Benghazi suspect taken into US custody.

Ahmed Abu Khatallah, the attack's suspected mastermind is currently on trial in Washington.

--IANS

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