Rep. Schiff demands civilian trial for al-Liby

The Justice Department, according to Schiff, “has demonstrated a far greater ability to successfully prosecute terrorists in federal courts” compared to the military-run court in Cuba. 

{mosads}”Nothing must be done to compromise … the ability of Justice Department prosecutors to seek justice” for the American victims of the terrorist attacks al-Liby is accused of carrying out, he added. 

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) pushed back against calls by Schiff and other lawmakers for a civilian trial for al-Liby. 

“I believe the most responsible course of action would be to hold al Libi as an enemy combatant at [Guantánamo Bay] for intelligence gathering purposes,” the South Carolina Republican said in a tweet Monday. 

Currently, 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and four other co-conspirators are incarcerated at the U.S. prison in Guantánamo Bay.

U.S. military prosecutors are making their case before a military tribunal against Mohammad and his co-defendants for their role in the 9/11 attacks.

Al-Liby, 49, who was on the FBI’s “Most Wanted” list, was captured in his native Libya Saturday by U.S. forces, according to the Pentagon.

“On Oct.5, the Department of Defense, acting under military authorities, conducted an operation to apprehend longtime Al Qaeda member Abu Anas al Libi in Libya,” Pentagon spokesman George Little said Sunday. 

Citing administration sources, recent reports state the White House has already decided to bring al-Liby before a federal court, for his alleged involvement in the bombings of the United States embassies in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and Nairobi, Kenya, in 1998.

He is currently being interrogated by U.S. forces at an undisclosed location somewhere in the region. 

On Monday, Schiff praised American military and intelligence officials for coordinating al-Liby’s capture and the White House for giving the mission the green light. 

“I applaud the military and civilian personnel who executed the mission, and the President for making this gutsy call,” Schiff said. 

“The … capture of Abu Anas al-Libi was a blow to the remnants of core al Qaeda, and a potential intelligence gold mine,” he added.