Two of the four leaders allegedly behind the al Qaeda plot to blow up a Northwest Airlines Flight 253 passenger jet over Detroit Christmas Day were released by the U.S. from the Guantanamo prison in November, 2007, according to American officials and Department of Defense documents.
Guantanamo prisoner #333, Muhamad Attik al-Harbi, and prisoner #372, Said Ali Shari, were sent to Saudi Arabia on Nov. 9, 2007, according to the Defense Department log of detainees who were released from American custody. Al-Harbi has since changed his name to Muhamad al-Awfi.
SOURCE: Two al Qaeda Leaders Behind Northwest Flight 253 Terror Plot Were Released by U.S.