Image: from Fox News X@FoxNews
By Open Chronicle Staff Friday, February 6, 2026
JOINT BASE ANDREWS, MD — In a significant development for a case that has spanned over a decade, the Department of Justice announced Friday that a “key participant” in the 2012 attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya, is now in American custody.
Zubayr Al-Bakoush arrived at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland in the early hours of Friday morning. His arrival marks a major milestone in the long-standing pursuit of justice for the four Americans killed during the assault on September 11, 2012.
🚨JUST ANNOUNCED: Good Friday. The FBI has taken custody of one of the suspects in the 2012 Benghazi attack. #Benghazi
AGPam Bondi: "Today, I am proud to announce that the FBI has arrested one of the key participants behind the Benghazi attack."
Zubayr Al-Bakoush, suspect in… pic.twitter.com/OO44SWVMa3
— AJ Huber (@Huberton) February 6, 2026
The Charges
During a press conference, Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed that Al-Bakoush faces an eight-count indictment, which was recently unsealed. The charges include:
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Two counts of murder for the deaths of U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens and State Department employee Sean Smith.
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One count of attempted murder.
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One count of arson.
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Conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists resulting in death.
“You can run, but you cannot hide,” Bondi warned during the briefing, signaling that the U.S. government remains committed to tracking down any remaining suspects.
Wow. I could honestly cry right now.
The alleged leader of the 2012 Benghazi attack has been arrested and landed in Washington, D.C. early this morning.
God bless America. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/DHmdQTXHqy
— Gina Milan (@ginamilan_) February 6, 2026
The Operation
FBI Director Kash Patel and U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro joined Bondi to detail the apprehension. Patel described the capture as a complex “interagency effort” involving “special tactical assets” and cooperation with overseas partners. Al-Bakoush touched down on U.S. soil at approximately 03:00 EST.
While officials remained tight-lipped about the specific country from which Al-Bakoush was extradited, Patel emphasized that the transfer required seamless coordination between the FBI, medical personnel, and international allies.
A Long Road to Justice
The 2012 Benghazi attack remains one of the most politically charged events in recent U.S. history. The assault claimed the lives of:
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Chris Stevens, U.S. Ambassador
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Sean Smith, State Department Information Specialist
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Tyrone Woods, Security Specialist (ex-Navy SEAL)
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Glen Doherty, Security Specialist (ex-Navy SEAL)
Al-Bakoush is the third major figure to face the American legal system for the Benghazi killings. He follows Ahmed Abu Khattala, convicted in 2017, and Mustafa al-Imam, who was sentenced to 19 years in 2019.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro noted that while Al-Bakoush was first charged in 2015, the unsealing of the indictment today represents a renewed push to close one of the most painful chapters in American diplomatic history.