Sept 11 'witness' released after three months solitary confinement

A college student who claimed not to know one of the September 11 plane hijackers has been charged with lying to a grand jury.

A federal judge has now freed Osama Awadallah on 500,000 dollars bail, raised by his family and friends.

He testified before a grand jury in New York that he knew one of the suicide hijackers, but claimed he didn't know a second terrorist.

Federal authorities say the second claim was false, and that he had therefore committed perjury perjury.

He was placed in solitary confinement for three months.

"I can't describe my feelings after coming back to California. I really feel like I am home," said the released 21-year-old student, after his arrival at San Diego Airport.

Awadallah, a native of Jordan and a student in El Cajon, was one of three men detained in San Diego as witnesses after the September 11 attacks.

The judge has ruled that while out on bail he must wear an electronic bracelet and report daily to a probation officer.