A former Libyan official has rejected US accusations against Zubair al-Bakoush, a Libyan national transferred to the United States over alleged links to the 2012 Benghazi attack, describing the claims as unfounded and politically motivated. According to al-Gharyani, al-Bakoush was arrested again roughly three months ago by Libya’s Internal Security Agency in Tripoli and released a month later. Al-Gharyani alleged that the latest arrest was aimed at diverting attention within the United States from the Epstein Island case, claiming al-Bakoush was being used as a “scapegoat”. He further suggested that pursuing charges linked to the Benghazi attack was intended to distract from allegations currently facing former US President Donald Trump. US authorities have said al-Bakoush was arrested in connection with the Benghazi attack and transferred to the United States, where he is expected to face charges including murder, arson and terrorism-related offences.

Source: Libya Observer February 08, 2026 12:53 UTC