Malaysia today released Yazid Sufaat, the scientist who helped Osama bin Laden develop the anthrax bacteria to use as a biological weapon.

"Yazid Sufaat was released this morning from Simpang Renggam Prison in Johor and sent back home in Kuala Lumpur," said Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay, the leader of the Malaysian police's counter-terrorist committee. The release of Sufaat was carried out by a decision from the Counterterrorism Committee and he had to wear electronic surveillance equipment.

"Yazid Sufaat is only allowed to move in the vicinity of his home in Ampang district and must stay indoors from 20:00 to 6:00 every day," Ayob said.

Sufaat, 55, has been serving a series of prison sentences for being linked to two terrorist networks. Sufaat was arrested in 2002 for roles in Kandahar, Afghanistan, where he was charged with promoting al-Qaeda's program of mass destruction weapons.

In January 2000, Sufaat provided his shelter for al-Qaeda members who came to Kuala Lumpur to attend a meeting to discuss future terrorist plans. The meeting included senior leaders of the organization, including two hijackers of 9/11 terrorist attacks in the United States.

He was released in 2010 but continued to be imprisoned in 2013 for recruiting members for the Islamic State (IS) to fight in Syria. In 2017, he continued to be released but was arrested shortly after he was discovered recruiting fellow prisoners to al-Qaeda.

Sufaat graduated with a biological science major at California State University and with his expertise, he was considered by terrorist groups to be an "important asset," according to terrorist expert Ahmad El-Muhammady, who used to interview Sufaat in prison in 2017.