UPDATE: The court has decided to free former Romanian Prime Minister Adrian Nastase, who served his second jail term for corruption. He was freed on Thursday evening (August 22) from the Jilava prison after serving one third of his sentences.

The decision – a ruling on an appeal by prosecutors against Nastase’s early release request – is final. The former PM had to serve four and a half years in jail, and asked to be released earlier as he served over a third of his jail time. His current and his previous sentences were merged when calculating how much of his jail time se served.

Prosecutors however said he has not displayed exemplary behaviour that would justify the early release. They also say he spent too little time in jail, compared to his corruption crimes.

A previous jail sentence, of two years, resulted in Nastase spending nine months in jail, after a failed suicide attempt. He has been serving time for his second conviction since January 2014.

Former Romanian PM Adrian Nastase will be freed from prison – court decision is final

Former PM Adrian Nastase, first time in public after being taken to jail

After attempted suicide, former Romanian PM to stay two weeks in hospital

editor@romania-insider.com