Ex-Paraguayan general released from prison

ASUNCION, Paraguay, Sept. 6 (UPI) -- A former Paraguayan general who once led a coup attempt was freed from prison Thursday after serving just a few years of his sentence.

Gen. Lino Oviedo, who was sentenced to 10 years in prison for leading a 1996 coup attempt, walked out of prison just outside Asuncion to cheers from his supporters, ABC Color newspaper reported online.

Oviedo, 63, fled the country to Brazil following his 1998 conviction. He was arrested in 2004 after returning from his prolonged exile.

An Oviedo supporter last year allowed himself to be crucified to protest the ex-general's imprisonment.