Nearly a year after the deadly attacks that killed four Americans in Benghazi, the Obama administration is finally filing formal charges against a suspect, Ansar al-Sharia leader Ahmed Abu Khattalah:

The U.S. has filed charges against Ahmed Khattalah, reports @evanperez — The Lead CNN (@TheLeadCNN) August 6, 2013

Breaking news: First criminal charges filed against a Libyan militia leader that officials believe was involved in the Benghazi attack. — Katie Hinman (@khinman) August 6, 2013

The administration just filed charges against Ahmed Khattalah, one week after CNN found him chilling in Benghazi. http://t.co/eW7VB9D2Dc — Jimmy (@JimmyPrinceton) August 6, 2013

More from CNN justice reporter Evan Perez:

Federal agents and prosecutors investigating the attack on the U.S. diplomatic compound in Benghazi have filed charges against Ahmed Khattalah, leader of a Libyan militia that officials believe was involved in the assault, people briefed on the investigation said. The charges under seal are the first criminal counts to emerge from the probe.

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With the anniversary of the attack looming, the Justice Department has come under criticism for the lack of public progress in the case.

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The Justice Department and the FBI declined to comment on the charges. The agencies prohibit commenting on matters that are under seal. It couldn’t be learned when the U.S. plans to announce the charges and whether there are any plans to try to detain Khattalah.

What took so long?

We've known that Ahmed Khattalah was a suspect in the Benghazi attacks since October, why are charges only being filed now? — AG (@AG_Conservative) August 6, 2013

Seriously, thank CNN for this. WH had to act to manage PR disaster http://t.co/LxW4RmV67T — Allahpundit (@allahpundit) August 6, 2013

So was it motivated out of embarrassment from the CNN report? That would be my guess. Either way, welcome news. Now they need to get him. — Jimmy (@JimmyPrinceton) August 6, 2013

Does this mean the White House is finally ready to acknowledge that Benghazi is not a “phony scandal”?

They must be phony charges – RT @cnnbrk: Charges filed against leader of Libyan militia in Benghazi attack, sources say. Developing story. — Cameron Gray (@Cameron_Gray) August 6, 2013

Anyone going to ask Carney about this at the next press briefing? https://t.co/lQeICvhIDb — Allahpundit (@allahpundit) August 6, 2013

Fat chance. Speaking this afternoon in Arizona, Obama doubled down:

Obama again refers to Benghazi as a "phony scandal"…as his own administration files criminal charges over it. — SunnyRight (@sunnyright) August 6, 2013

Shameful.

Editor’s note: This post has been updated with additional tweets.