Released doctor asserts innocence, denounces 'insane crime'

SAN ANTONIO, Texas (CNN) -- A Texas doctor detained and later released by the FBI as a material witness in the investigation of this month's terrorist attacks asserted his innocence Tuesday in what he called an "insane crime."

Dr. Albader Alhazmi, a San Antonio radiologist, was released Monday night. He was not charged with any crime.

"I'm glad it's over," he told reporters gathered outside his home.

Alhazmi, who is from Saudi Arabia, had come under scrutiny because his last name is the same as two of the hijackers and he had not shown up at work September 11 -- the day of the hijackings. Investigators said their suspicions were also raised because Alhazmi had plane tickets for himself and his family for September 22, but he had not requested time off from work.

Authorities have since said they have found no links between the doctor and the terrorist plot.

"For anybody who accused me of anything without knowing the facts, I forgive them because they don't know," Alhazmi said.

The doctor said he wants to "go back to normal." He thanked his friends and colleagues for standing by him and said the Saudi ambassador had even helped clear his name.

"My message to the media who jumped on the case without facts: Refrain from guessing because we are playing with lives here," he said.

Alhazmi also expressed his condolences to families who had lost loved ones in the attacks and said the acts had "nothing to do with Islam."

Alhazmi was one of hundreds of people detained by the government in the wake of the attacks.

Attorney General John Ashcroft said Monday that 352 people have been taken into custody nationwide, and another 392 are still being sought for questioning. That's more than double the previous count made public and does not count those arrested overseas, officials said.

Justice Department officials said 98 people were in the custody of the Immigration and Naturalization Service -- only about a third of the 352 total detained. The remaining 254 had not been publicly discussed before Monday because many details of the investigation were sealed by a federal court at the government's request.

That group is a collection of about 250 people who have been detained or arrested since September 11 by the FBI, federal marshals, state and local police agencies. No individual has been directly charged in the hijacking plot, department officials said.

-- CNN Justice Correspondent Kelli Arena, Correspondent Susan Candiotti and Producer Terry Frieden contributed to this report.