Bin Laden aide released from prison

Abu Hafs al Mauritani, who was a senior adviser to al Qaida, was released from a prison in Mauritania over the weekend, his family confirmed.

Sidi Ould Walid said his brother was released after renouncing his ties to the terror network and condemning the September 11, 2001 attacks.

Hafs refused to be interviewed or to be filmed as he left the prison.

On militant forums, jihadists exchanged congratulations over the release.

Hafs was an adviser to Osama Bin Laden who helped form the modern al Qaida by merging Bin Laden’s operation with Ayman al-Zawahri’s Islamic Jihad.

Hafs spent years in custody in Iran before being extradited to Mauritania in April. Walid says his brother was interrogated multiple times and his release indicates he is no longer seen as a threat.