In this Thursday, Sept. 13, 2012 file photo, a Libyan man investigates the inside of the U.S. Consulate after an attack that killed four Americans, including Ambassador Chris Stevens, on the night of Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2012, in Benghazi, Libya. (AP Photo/Mohammad Hannon, File)
TUNIS, Tunisia -- A jailed Tunisian man is "strongly suspected" of being involved in the attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi that killed four Americans, a top Tunisian official has confirmed.
Interior Minister Ali Larayedh said were "major assumptions" that Ali Harzi, who was arrested and repatriated from Turkey, had a link to the attack in the Libyan city that killed U.S. ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans on Sept. 11 this year. It was unusual for Larayedh to speak so publicly about the sensitive investigation in the television interview late Wednesday.
Harzi is one of two Tunisians arrested in Turkey. Any involvement of his raises the possibility that it wasn't just Libyans attacking the U.S. consulate. Egypt has also reported that a local militant believed to be involved in the Benghazi attack was killed by security forces.
"There are two Tunisians that were arrested by Turkish authorities, who then repatriated them. One of the two is still free, the other has been arrested and is strongly suspected to have been involved in the attack of Benghazi," Larayedh said, adding that an investigation was under way.
His comments came a day before the government decided Thursday to extend the North African nation's state of emergency for three months, reflecting the persistent unrest almost two years after a popular uprising overthrew long-ruling dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.
Since then, ultraconservative Muslims known as Salafis have held protests, claiming that Tunisian society is not sufficiently pious. There have been a number of violent incidents, including clashes Tuesday between police and sword-wielding Salafis that left two people dead.
Harzi is believed to have been a member of the Ansar al-Sharia, a Salafi group in Tunisia, according to an official close to the judiciary. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.
A Libyan militia by the same name is believed to have been behind the Benghazi attack, according to witnesses who saw vehicles with the heavily armed group's logo participate in the assault.
Harzi's lawyer, Ouled Ali Anwar, told The Associated Press there was no solid evidence against his client and claimed he was being used as a "scapegoat to satisfy the Americans."
He said his client was told he has been charged with "membership of a terrorist organization" – a charge punishable by six to 12 years in prison.
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TUNIS, Tunisia -- A jailed Tunisian man is "strongly suspected" of being involved in the attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi that killed four Americans, a top Tunisian official has confirmed.
In...
TUNIS, Tunisia -- A jailed Tunisian man is "strongly suspected" of being involved in the attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi that killed four Americans, a top Tunisian official has confirmed.
In...
lets see if the "suspect" is a scapegoat paid to say it was the movie trailer that caused the attack. he seems less important that the decisions, or lack thereof, to rescue Ambassador Chris Stevens and other Americans from looming death. all that US military might on standby off bengahzi's shore and on land, minutes away.
if Thomas Jefferson used Marines to storm the shores of tripoli to save Americans in libya, why couldn't the prez, Jefferson's supposed descendent, send very capable modern Marines, with highly advanced equipment, to storm the shores of bengahzi to rescue US embassy workers, past a crowd of comparably weaker fighters and unarmed protesters?
at least Romney won't be too little too late and too slow to react, like the current prez.
socraticknight: lets see if the "suspect" is a scapegoat paid to
"Please help us!!!" Americans cried
Obama did nothing
Americans died
Obama just watched
Obama then slept
Obama then lied
And mothers wept
And children cried
And fathers wept
And children cried
And children cried...
sea_sugar: "Please help us!!!" Americans cried Obama did nothing Americans died
sure,, 4 bumps in the road for obama,, I assume someone is being set up,, doesnt excuse letting those people die, of course we have an inept president,, .
mimsysc: sure,, 4 bumps in the road for obama,, I assume
Agree, they dont care, trying to make a story to shift blame, obama won't answer any questions on it,, its the aq we armed in libya,, ahh the rebels. AQ, brotherhood, all our enemies that obama backs.
mimsysc: Agree, they dont care, trying to make a story to
What do other countries think of us electing Obama? Do you think they believe they can trust us? If Obama isn't truthful to his own people, how will he be with other countries?
Americantrue: What do other countries think of us electing Obama? Do
As a matter of fact, the other countries want Obama 2 to 1. Less than 1 third want Romney. Italy won't even let him in their country for moving 32 BILLION dollars out of their country without paying taxes. I hear him Romney is called "swaggering" warmonger in most countries, or don't you read?
"Earlier this Spring, the same German Marshall Fund Poll that had once found that 36 percent of Europeans had faith in the President’s handling, in U.S. leadership in the world, registered at 75 percent and has consistently been in the upper 70s and lower 80s since President Obama took office." from 'New Europe Online'
I'm terribly sorry you hate everything about America, Mr true, Our country is great and Europeans know it. Why not you?
Vince_Hebert: As a matter of fact, the other countries want Obama
Somehow he will be accused of making the video. It's hard to believe that so many people want Obama for their president. He will never be mine. A mark of a man is his truthfulness. Obama is a liar.
Americantrue: Somehow he will be accused of making the video. It's
Um...reality check? What have you been doing for 4 years? Um... Obama has been your president for almost four years. Slapping your country in the face again? There's an old name for what you're doing. Sour Puss...Sad Sack! That's you! You're a sad sack! God! my parents generation had great ways to call 'em like they see 'em! You're a Sad Sack! So is the Republicans for 30 years. ALL sad sacks! Well we kept your country alive while you were goin against everybody true. I hope you appreciate it... someday.
Vince_Hebert: Um...reality check? What have you been doing for 4 years?
And of course the salient point omitted from this article is that there was no official request by the Obama Administration to question this guy. As a result, Senator Lindsay Graham made a formal request to that government.
Hemmersley_Hammersmith: And of course the salient point omitted from this article
We should leave this page for the Benghazi "coverup" crazies this article is way better the pics are awesome! (Ohio Early Voting: Long Lines Reported Outside Polling Places)
domenicaxx66xx: We should leave this page for the Benghazi "coverup" crazies
What makes me mad about using Benhgazi as a "coverup" meme seeking low effort thinking voters/votes... is that we overlook the heroism of those fought and died that day.
Our people didn't die as cowards... they were in a long fire fight protecting their diplomat and BOTH compounds.
There were not overrun in a few minutes. They put up one hell of a fight against a much heavier armed opponent.
That they didn't "WIN" that battle is what some choose to focus on for their LEV meme.
I agree with your post regarding the heroism of those involved. The question I have been asking myself since reading some of the details that have come out is: Why haven't we seen or heard about any casualities on the attackers side of this? I find it difficult, if not impossible, to believe that not one of the attackers were wounded or killed. I am not making any accusations of any kind against anyone. It's just hard to believe.
lawoff414: I agree with your post regarding the heroism of those
Obama hasn't had our government speak to the suspect yet. Rumour has it that Obama sent him a link to an internet video to study for a while so they could get their stories straight!
cllng1foto: Obama hasn't had our government speak to the suspect yet.
No - joke said by me. Liberals sure get defensive when they can't explain why the administration was talking in circles for weeks. They still won't say how things went down.
cllng1foto: No - joke said by me. Liberals sure get defensive
sorry no- nice try , they just follwed up on it . cnn found the diaries. cnn spoke to witnesses first who made obama look like a liar. it's just that mainstream media , one more time , covering for obama. the man ( obama) watched the attack in real time, he knows what really happened ! we heard about bin laden moments after that sorte. why no honest info on this mess? we will hear about it in december ???
can you say cover up- americans getting slaughtered at the same time obama leaves situation room to pack his bag for vegas !! that's the president you want ?? ha!
doct2241: sorry no- nice try , they just follwed up on
Bengahzi .... 4 Americans killed.... no back up help sent..... numerous requests for help turned down.... No rescue sent... 4 Americans dead..... The White House knew nothing??????? You decide!!!!!
cboowillie: Bengahzi .... 4 Americans killed.... no back up help sent.....
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By BOUAZZA BEN BOUAZZA 11/01/12 09:33 AM ET EDT