FBI: Benghazi suspect faces 17 additional indictments

NEW YORK, Oct. 15 (UPI) -- The U.S. Department of Justice announced Tuesday that Ahmed Abu Khatallah, the alleged mastermind behind the 2012 attacks on U.S. facilities in Benghazi, Libya, will face 17 additional indictments.

The new indictments, brought by a federal grand jury in Washington, D.C., supersedes but also includes the initial indictment issued June 26 for conspiracy to provide material support and resources to terrorists resulting in death.

In a statement issued by the Justice Department, the indictment against Abu Khatallah includes:

-- One count of murder of an internationally protected person; -- Three counts of murder of an officer and employee of the United States; -- Four counts of killing a person in the course of an attack on a federal facility involving the use of a firearm and a dangerous weapon; -- Two counts of maliciously damaging and destroying U.S. property by means of fire and an explosive causing death; -- One count of providing material support and resources to terrorists resulting in death; -- Three counts of attempted murder of an officer and employee of the United States; -- Two counts of maliciously destroying and injuring dwellings and property, and placing lives in jeopardy within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States, and attempting to do the same; -- One count of using, carrying, brandishing and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 30 years in prison.

"These additional charges reflect Ahmed Abu Khattalah's integral role in the attack on U.S. facilities in Benghazi, which led to the deaths of four brave Americans," said Attorney General Eric Holder.

The FBI New York Field Office, which is continuing to investigate the Sept. 12, 2012 attack that killed U.S. Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three others at the U.S. consulate and annex in Benghazi, announced the new indictments against Abu Khatallah via Twitter.

Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office George Venizelos reaffirmed Tuesday "The Benghazi investigation remains one of the FBI's top priorities and we will work tirelessly until all of those responsible are brought to justice."

Khatallah was seized on June 15 by U.S. Special Operations near Benghazi and was held in a secure location outside Libya before his extradition to the U.S. aboard the USS New York.