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Libyans release key Benghazi attack suspect
Libyas government earlier this month released a key terror suspect who U.S. officials say was involved in planning the Sept. 11 terrorist attack on U.S. diplomatic and intelligence facilities in Benghazi.Faraj al Chalabi, (also spelled Shibli) an al Qaeda terrorist also linked to the 1994 terrorist murder of two German tourists, was detained by the Tripoli government in March. However, al Chalabi was released June 12 based on claims that there was a lack of evidence to hold him custody. Chalabi, who was arrested by the Libyans in March after returning from Pakistan, is believed by U.S. intelligence and law enforcement officials to be one of the people who organized the attack on the diplomatic compound. A U.S. official said the U.S. government has evidence al Chalabi was linked to the Benghazi attack but did not provide that information to the Libyan government. It could not be learned why the evidence was not used to hold the suspect. Regarding his questioning by U.S. officials, al Chalabi said: They pretended to know everything, because they were rigid in their questioning, but the truth is that until now, the Americans do not know who carried out this attack which led to the death of their ambassador or who destroyed their consulate; they are confused. At times they say that it happened against the backdrop of a popular attack over the film that offends the prophet, peace be upon him, and at other times they say it was planned. If it was planned, they do not know who did it. Al Chalabi said a judge ruled that there was no evidence against him and allowed him to be released, adding that he believed the Americans did not want to do so. His passport was seized to prevent him from leaving Libya and he must report to a police station once a week, he said. The release of al Chalabi was first reported by the Benghazi publication New Quryna Online on June 13. That report quoted a relative as saying al Chalabi was detained in Pakistan for three months. Posted by: Pappy 2013-06-29 |
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