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| Africa North |
| FBI zeroes in on Benghazi attack suspects, lacks evidence for civilian prosecution |
| 2013-05-22 |
| Five men have been identified by the US as linked to the September 2012 attack on a diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya, though they remain at large as the FBI seeks to gather sufficient evidence for a civilian trial. According to the Associated Press, the five individuals thought to be responsible for the attack, in which four were killed including US Ambassador Christopher Stevens, could be taken into custody by the US military, though sufficient proof seems lacking to try them in court. The suspects are thought to be members of Ansar al-Shariah, a Libyan militia group whose fighters were seen near the US diplomatic facility in Benghazi just prior to the assault. At least some of the suspects have been in contact with previously identified regional Jihadists, including Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb. A senior Obama administration official has told the AP that the FBI identified several individuals that may either have information, or may have been directly involved in the attack. However, per that official, a unilateral military mission to extract the suspects without LibyaÂ’s cooperation is thought to be potentially damaging to relations. Photos for three of the five suspects have been released by the FBI in the hopes that the public may provide information, images evidently obtained by security cameras at the US diplomatic post at the time of the attack. Delays due to the security situation meant that the agency took three weeks to obtain the camera and their data, and relay them to American officials in Tripoli. |
| Posted by:tipper |
| #7 NoMoreBS, hence my "...odd...flexible" characterization of this regimes take on law. You are absolutely right. It is all about perception and propagand. |
| Posted by: AlanC 2013-05-22 17:20 |
| #6 Legally It would be better to declare war on Ansar al-Shariah before wiping them out. |
| Posted by: Bright Pebbles 2013-05-22 13:57 |
| #5 Alan C, as you undoubtedly know, it is not about the actual law, but the optics of law, the distinction being that its really about being SEEN to follow whatever law makes them able to do what they want. The actual rule of law would require them to be obedient to it, and that is not what imperial hubris is willing to do. For these people, its always the optics, not the truth. |
| Posted by: NoMoreBS 2013-05-22 12:45 |
| #4 Where are the drones when you need them? |
| Posted by: Rambler in Virginia 2013-05-22 12:24 |
| #3 This regime has an odd definition of law. They can spy on reporters and use the IRS as an intimidation tool and they think they can (or should) try foreign nationals in a civilian court for waging war in a foreign country. Impressive flexibility. |
| Posted by: AlanC 2013-05-22 09:32 |
| #2 could be taken into custody by the US military, though sufficient proof seems lacking to try them in court. If they could be taken into custody then they could certainly have 'unfortunate accidents' - Libya is a dangerous place, with unexploded ordnance around, Third World health care, infrastructure that makes the Tappan Zee Bridge look solid and well-maintained.... |
| Posted by: Glenmore 2013-05-22 07:25 |
| #1 Following intense pressure from father, little Thomas somehow manages to find his missing report card in a sock drawer. His mum is dismayed however, as the marks were all failing. |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2013-05-22 04:27 |