SACRAMENTO (AP) -- Former Laotian Gen. Vang Pao, accused of being the ringleader in a plot to overthrow the communist government of Laos, was freed on bail Friday.

U.S. Magistrate Dale Drozd ordered the 77-year-old leader of the Hmong community in America released on a $1.5 million (euro1.09 million) bond after relatives agreed to post four properties in Sacramento, Fresno and Westminster as collateral.

Several hundred people gathered outside the federal courthouse cheered as the former general walked out the front door and through the crowd. Most were wearing white, and some held signs and balloons that said "Welcome home." Others waved American flags or poster-sized framed photographs of the Vietnam War hero.

Vang Pao, who was wearing a dark suit with an open shirt, accepted a bouquet of purple flowers and waved several times, but did not say anything to the crowd. He was escorted to a van and driven away.

"We're just happy he's released, and I'm sure the Hmong community is happy," said John Balazs, Vang Pao's attorney.

Vang Pao and 10 other men are accused of planning to buy nearly $10 million (euro7.26 million) worth of machine guns, anti-aircraft missiles, rocket-propelled grenades, mines and other weapons to topple the government in Vientiane, the capital of Laos.

The other central figure in the case, Harrison Jack, 60, a former Army Ranger accused of acting as a middle man between the Hmong leaders and a presumed arms dealer who was really an undercover federal agent, was released late Thursday after posting his $1 million (euro730,000) bond, secured by family property.

Earlier Friday, U.S. Magistrate Dale Drozd also ordered the release of Nhia Kao Vang, 48, of Rancho Cordova, Chong Yang Thao, 54, of Fresno, Hue Vang, 39, of Fresno, bringing the total to 10 of the 11 defendants.

The eleventh, Lo Cha Thao, 34, of Clovis, has so far been unable to post his $2.3 million (euro1.67 million) bail.

The men face possible sentences of life in prison if they are convicted. They are accused of conspiring to violate the Neutrality Act against a nation with which the United States is at peace; conspiring to kill, kidnap and maim; conspiring to possess firearms and destructive devices; and conspiring to export munitions without a license from the U.S. State Department.

"Today is the most wonderful today in Hmong history," said Paula Yang, a spokeswoman for the Hmong community, outside the courthouse. "I believe that the judge's heart has been touched by the overwhelming love of the Hmong people. The Hmong people are and always have been loyal allies to the U.S. government."

She said Vang Pao's family would drive him to his Westminster home in Orange County, where he will be under strict house arrest and unable to have visitors.

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