Rogers: Benghazi suspect 'compliant but not cooperative'
(CNN) –– Rep. Mike Rogers, the chairman of the House intelligence committee, said Sunday the suspect in the Benghazi attacks "likely" did not provide useful intelligence during his two-week detention aboard a ship to the United States.
The White House announced the capture earlier this month of Ahmed Abu Khatallah - the suspected ringleader of the September 2012 attacks on the U.S. mission in Benghazi, Libya, that resulted in the deaths of four Americans.
[twitter-follow screen_name='politicalticker'][twitter-follow screen_name='danadavidsenCNN']
Rogers, a Republican from Michigan, told CNN's Candy Crowley that Abu Khatallah was "compliant but not cooperative" during his interviews with interrogators.
"You can imagine that he was not obstinate. He was not pushing back, but he was likely not providing information," Rogers said.
Controversy swirls over handling of Benghazi suspect Abu Khatallah
A U.S. official told CNN that Abu Khatallah was questioned before being advised of his Miranda rights but continued to provide intelligence even after officials read him his right to remain silent to avoid self-incrimination.
Rogers said the time that investigators had with Abu Khatallah aboard the USS New York was insufficient.
"Ten days is not enough. And you'll find no investigator, interrogator, that would say I know I can do it in 10 days," he said. "Everybody's different. You can get that rapport building and that cooperative spirit, but sometimes it takes a month or two months."
Rogers, like many Republicans, contends that the alleged terrorist should go through a military tribunal at the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, instead of being tried in a federal court. The White House has defended its decision to try Abu Khatallah domestically, as the administration continues its efforts to close the detention facility.
On Saturday, Abu Khatallah pleaded not guilty at a federal courthouse in Washington to one count of providing material support to terrorists.
Watch State of the Union with Candy Crowley Sundays at 9am ET. For the latest from State of the Union click here.
From CNN Politics
- How the Trump era made redistricting more complicated April 18, 2021 10:04 pm
- Trump calls Afghanistan withdrawal 'a wonderful and positive thing to do' and criticizes Biden's timeline April 18, 2021 09:20 pm
- Younger Americans are least likely to vaccinate April 18, 2021 07:46 pm
- Washington Post: Trump-installed NSA lawyer resigns after being on administrative leave for three months April 18, 2021 07:18 pm
- Chicago Mayor Lightfoot under pressure to reform police amid outrage over Adam Toledo shooting April 18, 2021 06:35 pm
- Bush calls on Congress to tone down 'harsh rhetoric' about immigration April 18, 2021 04:22 pm
What do we expect him to say ? Book me Dano ? I dont think he's that dumb .
People in government should be barred from revealing anthing about an ongoing investigation.
On another note, Why was he kidnapped instead of being properly extradited ?
Let me guess, "cooperative" would be embracing Benghazi fantasies that has been invented by the right-wing media. Guaranteed, if this guy started telling a story that supported the Republican witch hunt theories, Republicans would instantly be delighted with him testifying in court.
Investigations mean weatherboarding , torture In GOP dictionary
"Bergdahlghazi!" cried the Teabilly, to no one in particular.
The Republicans are agin' it because President Obama did it. So, nothing new, here.
he "likely" did not provide information...what kind of intelligence report is that
Apparently Mike Rodger does not understand why most prosecutors will not talk about an investigation while it is on going. And this guy is the head of the House Intelligence Comm????? Working his way toward a miss-trial??? Good little GOTPer.
Did he have a attorney present during those interrogations? If not will he have a attorney present during the upcoming mock trial?
I wonder how look it took Obama's interrogator's to convince this half-wit it was the video that caused Benghazi!
One thing is for sure , it will be a very very longtime before Abu Khatallah enjoys the taste of home cooked lamb kabobs !
This is NOT news. Rogers admits he doesn't know if Khattalah provided intelligence or not. He's just guessing. So why report it?
I don't know Mr. Rogers or his background in interrogations , so I ask the honest question " Why does he speak in such absolutes as to the opinion of experts ?". Based on my very limited time in that arcane field , I tend to think he overstates his case .
Completely shocking!! I thought if we gave him a blueberry muffin, he was going to spill the beans.
Didn;t provide information as he had none
Now here is a guy that should be in prison and it will probably be better accommodations than he's been used too. He may not like the company though but in his line of work one can't be too choosey.
Some people in America will agree with anything our government does that they deem appropriate, but what's to stop other countries from kidnapping our citizens and accusing them of aiding terrorist. The world is becoming a dangerous place and one day that big stick we wave will resemble a toothpick so with that in mind the rules of law should apply in every circumstance.
He's being tried in a US civilian court. He doesn't have to say a word. Even if they say pretty please. They didn't read him his rights before the initial interrogation, so nothing they learned during that time until they did read him his rights can be used in the trial against him. He probably lies bigger than the Hildabeast does, so his info is useless.
It is sad our first President of color will be remembered for being the most inept, corrupt, wasteful, destructive, divisive and subversive President ever. A man twice elected because of the color of his skin rather than the content of his character.
"House intelligence committee"
Now that's funny!
His only statement should be that he did it because of the video.
Americans are not his peers. Will they be flying in potential jurors from Benghazi? After all, our justice system guarantees a jury of his peers.
If the Obama administration mucks this up the way they have mucked up everything else they touch, Democrats are in real deep doo-doo.
Hillary Clinton has agreed to defend him as she has first hand knowledge that he was not involved as he was just out for a walk one night when a bunch of demonstrators armed with AK-47s and RPGs swept him up and attacked the Consulate because of a Bugs Bunny video.
Hey, if Hillary Clinton can defend the rapist of a 12 year old girl and practically get the guy off by attacking the victim, this will be a cake walk for her.
If he were to go to GITMO, then there would be a chance of release. With a regular prison in the states, then is almost chance of escape.
Dose anybody remember when the Israelis kidnaped Otto Adolf Eichmann from Argentina .