Prosecutors have filed the first charges in the Benghazi terror attack on the U.S. diplomatic post against militia leader Ahmed Khattalah.
Nearly a year after the death of Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens was killed, CNN is reporting that a indictment under seal has been filed against Khattalah.
The charges are the first sign of progress in the investigation, which has been hampered by the security situation in Benghazi, Libya and the difficulty of securing evidence there. CNN reported is citing “people briefed on the investigation” as its source.
Prosecutors and FBI agents continue to work the case, the sources told CNN, to bolster the charges against Khattalah and get indictments against three others authorities believe were involved.
The attack on Sept. 11 last year, a military style assault with heavy weapons by dozens of extremists against the U.S. diplomatic compound and a nearby CIA facility, killed Mr. Stevens, State Department official Sean Smith and former Navy SEALs and CIA security contractors Glen Doherty and Tyrone Woods.
Attorney General Eric Holder earlier this year promised a congressional hearing the investigation was being pursued relentlessly, but impatient Republican lawmakers have criticized the administration’s reliance on prosecution, rather than military action, to bring suspects to justice.
SPECIAL COVERAGE: Benghazi Attack Under Microscope
• Shaun Waterman can be reached at swaterman@washingtontimes.com.
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