Father of accused NYC bomb plotter released on bond

Brooklyn federal prosecutors have agreed to release Mohammed Wali Zazi, the father of accused New York City bomb plotter Najibullah Zazi, on a $50,000 bond.

The elder Zazi is charged with obstructing justice by trying to destroy evidence in the case against his son. Prosecutors announced the release deal Wednesday afternoon in a hearing before U.S. Magistrate Steven Gold, who approved it.

Zazi will be electronically monitored at his home in Aurora, Colo., and will be allowed to leave only for work, lawyer meetings, court appearances, and medical and religious purposes. He has to post $20,000 in cash, and he, his wife and his daughter are guarantors on the rest.

Zazi's actual release was delayed until Friday, when the $20,000 is expected to be deposited with the court. He will also be prohibited from having contact with his son, who is detained in Brooklyn, and three other individuals - Adis Medunjanin and Zarein Ahmedzay, two childhood friends of Zazi charged in related cases, and Ahmad Wais Afzali, a Queens imam and police informant charged with lying to the FBI about aspects of the alleged plot.

Zazi's lawyer, Deborah Colson, speaking to reporters after Wednesday's hearing, said her client says he is innocent.

"He intends to fight the case, and we would just ask that the public withhold judgment until the facts are revealed," Colson said.

Najibullah Zazi, a former Denver airport shuttle bus driver who grew up in Queens, is charged with gathering chemicals and traveling to New York City last year with plans to make bombs.

Mohammed Wali Zazi, 54, a former New York City taxi driver, was charged earlier this month with conspiracy to tamper with chemicals, masks, containers and other equipment sought by a grand jury in connection with his son's case.