Qns. Qaeda canary to fly

Helped nail cohorts

A Queens-born former altar boy who ran away from home to join al Qaeda has been one of the “single most valuable cooperating witnesses” the feds have ever had — dishing on so many secrets that his potential life sentence was reduced Thursday to time served.

Bryant Neal Vinas, 34, has helped open and close 30 cases while identifying more than 1,000 insurgents, prosecutors said in Brooklyn federal court at his sentencing.

Vinas “provide[d] unparalleled insight into al Qaeda,’’ said prosecutor Richard Tucker.

Vinas (inset, as a youth), who in 2009 pleaded guilty to terror charges, has been feeding the feds information regarding hideouts, disrupting plots and even testifying at trials as an “expert witness” for the past 8 ¹/2 years, prosecutors said.

It was his testimony that helped jail notorious wouldbe subway bomber Najibullah Zazi and two others before they were able to orchestrate a Manhattan suicide attack.

Vinas stood dumbstruck between his grinning lawyers as Judge Nicholas Gar- aufis sentenced him to the eight years he has served behind bars. Still, he must wait 90 days before being released so that arrangements can be made to ensure his security.

Before learning his fate, Vinas expressed his remorse.

“My deepest apologies to the court for my actions,” said the ex-militant, who grew up on Long Island. “I accept responsibility, I have no one to blame but myself.”

Garaufis conceded that Vinas had once been “a great threat” to America but has since “put himself in grave danger” of terrorist retribution, which he will face for the rest of his life.

“You have made the most of this opportunity,” the jurist told Vinas. “Good luck.”

Vinas has spent nearly his entire time in the federal prison system in solitary confinement, speaking to no one but his lawyers and law enforcement.

“He has a brilliant mind,” said one of his lawyers, Steve Zissou. “His memory regarding places, things, coordinates is impeccable.”

As a condition of the sentence, Garaufis ordered that Vinas’ cooperation with the feds continue.