Yemen releases USS Cole bombing killer

October 27, 2007

Washington DC - Government and law enforcement officials Friday are angry over the release by Yemen of one of the leaders of the bombing of the destroyer USS Cole which killed 17 U.S. sailors seven years ago.

Government and law enforcement officials Friday are angry over the release by Yemen of one of the leaders of the bombing of the destroyer USS Cole which killed 17 U.S. sailors seven years ago.

According to news reports, Jamal al-Badawi -- who had escaped prison last year -- was freed after turning himself in two weeks ago, renouncing terrorism and pledging allegiance to Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh. The Associated Press in Sana, Yemen, quoted witnesses saying al-Badawi was "receiving well-wishers at his home" in Aden.

The statement pointedly referred to al-Badawi as one of the FBI's most wanted terrorists, and noted prosecutors in New York City want to get their hands on him.

Rudy Giuliani promptly called for the U.S. government to cancel $20 million in aid to Yemen for releasing al-Badawi, and the retired former commander of the Cole called the release "disappointing."