USS Cole Bomb Plotter In Yemen Freed

Sanaa, Yemen (AHN) - One of the al Qaeda masterminds behind the attack on the USS Cole was set free a few weeks ago after swearing allegiance to Yemen's leader, it was reported Thursday. After Jamal al-Badawi voluntarily surrendered to authorities and pledged loyalty to Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, Yemen freed the al Qaeda militant convicted in 2000 for his involvement in the USS Cole blast that resulted in the death of 17 American sailors.

A senior security official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Thursday that al-Badawi and 22 others escaped from jail and thus became fugitives in 2004.

FBI.gov said Al-Badawi escaped Yemeni custody again on February 3, 2006.

Al-Badawi turned himself in to the Yemeni authorities 15 days ago, CBS News reported Friday.

Police authorities, the official said, were ordered by the government to "stop all previous orders concerning measures" adopted against the former FBI-wanted fugitive.

The former fugitive was supposed to serve a death sentence that was later commuted to a 15-year imprisonment.

CBS News, sourcing from the wire news source The Associated Press, added that witnesses say Al-Badawi is entertaining guests at his residence in Aden.

Al-Badawi first escaped from prison in April 2003 and he was later rearrested.

Jamal al-Badawi, or Jamel Ahmed Mohammed Ali Al-Badawi, is on FBI's most wanted list for the Oct. 12, 2000 terrorist attack of the USS Cole while the ship was refueling in Aden Harbor in Yemen.