Saudi pilot who had been held as a material witness released from custody, Saudi official says

By TOM HAYS
Associated Press Writer

NEW YORK – A Saudi pilot has been released on bond three weeks after being taken into custody at Kennedy International Airport in the investigation of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, a Saudi embassy official said Thursday.

Abdulaziz M. Alangari, who flies with Saudi Arabian Airlines, was arrested Sept. 13 on a material witness warrant, which allow the arrest and questioning of someone considered crucial to an investigation without criminal charges being brought.

Alangari was released Wednesday, officials said.

Muddassir Siddiqui, an attorney at the Saudi embassy in Washington, said Thursday that Alangari was "out on bond." But he declined to give details of any charges or bail package. He did say the FBI had allowed the pilot to leave jail and stay in a hotel until "they cross the T's and dot the I's."

"Now I think the authorities feel relaxed that he's not involved," he said.

Spokesmen at the FBI and Justice Department declined comment. However, a federal law enforcement official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the man had been conditionally released.

Alangari was among a dozen travelers detained at Kennedy and LaGuardia airports in the days after the attack. The travelers, all of Middle Eastern descent, were cleared of any connection with the attacks. Alangari had aroused suspicion by showing his brother's pilot license, authorities said at the time.

Siddiqui contended Alangari simply had been "at the wrong place at the wrong time."

The pilot is said to be from a prominent family in Saudi Arabia.

The arrest of Alangari and several other people shut down Kennedy, Newark and LaGuardia airports for hours after service had been restored for the first time in the wake of the attacks. Service resumed nearly 18 hours later.

APNP-10-04-01 1224CDT