Ahmed Abu Khatallah, the orchestrator behind the 2012 lethal attack on a U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya, was resentenced to 28 years in prison on Thursday. Despite federal prosecutors’ appeals for a 60-year sentence, citing the original 22-year term as “unreasonably low,” the court settled on 28 years.
In 2017, Khatallah was found guilty of four charges, including providing material support to terrorists and destroying U.S. property. However, he was acquitted of the most severe accusations. The assault on September 11, 2012, resulted in the deaths of four Americans, among them U.S. Ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit deemed the 22-year sentence insufficient in 2022, considering the severe nature of the attack on an American diplomatic site and the district court’s recognition of the importance of deterrence.
The new sentence includes 15 years for two crimes and 18 years for a third, served concurrently, with an additional 10-year sentence for another crime served consecutively.
#OTD in 2012, US Ambassador to #Libya – John Christopher Stevens – and three other US nationals were killed when the U.S. Special Mission in Benghazi, was attacked by Ansar al-Sharia militants. Militia leader Ahmed Abu Khatallah was sentenced to 22 years in prison in June 2018 pic.twitter.com/TZly2mcfNx
— MENA Defense & Security 🇫🇷 🇪🇺 🇺🇦 (@Arn_Del) September 11, 2018
His lawyers argued that the original 22-year sentence was appropriate, downplaying his involvement in the attack. The appeals court had earlier required a more detailed explanation for the sentencing decision, prompting the reconsideration of his punishment.
Khatallah led the extremist militia Ubaydah bin Jarrah, aiming to provoke violence against the U.S. due to its presence in Libya, according to the Justice Department. The group began amassing weapons in early 2012, planning an assault.
On the night of September 11, 2012, the militia attacked the consulate, igniting fires and breaching buildings. The violence claimed the lives of Stevens, State Department official Sean Smith, and CIA contractors, former Navy SEALs Glen Doherty and Tyrone Woods.
The Benghazi incident quickly transformed into a contentious political issue. Congressional Republicans accused President Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton of misleading the public by attributing the attacks to reactions against the film “Innocence of Muslims.”
Years of congressional investigations ensued, but the final report did not assign blame to any specific individual.
What Other Media Are Saying
- CNN reported that the resentencing of Ahmed Abu Khattala to 28 years emphasises the U.S. commitment to justice for the Benghazi attack, reinforcing accountability for those involved in terrorism against Americans. (Read more)
- Washington Post reports that the increased sentence underscores the gravity of Khattala’s actions during the Benghazi attack, signalling that justice for victims remains a priority in American foreign policy. (Read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Who was resentenced for the Benghazi attack?
Ahmed Abu Khatallah was resentenced to 28 years in prison.
Why was Khatallah’s original sentence considered too low?
The U.S. Court of Appeals found 22 years inadequate given the gravity of the attack.
How many Americans were killed in the Benghazi attack?
Four Americans were killed, including U.S. Ambassador Christopher Stevens.
What was Khatallah convicted of?
He was convicted of providing material support to terrorists and destroying U.S. property.
Did the congressional inquiries place blame on any specific individual?
No, the final report did not place blame on any specific individual.
