Former Paraguayan general Lino Oviedo has been freed on parole from a military prison after serving more than half of a 10-year sentence for rebellion.
Oviedo greeted a crowd of supporters Thursday as he left the Vinas Cue prison on the outskirts of Asuncion, Paraguay's capital. The former general's release comes on speculation that he may seek political office next year.
Oviedo was sentenced to 10 years in prison for trying to topple the government of then President Juan Carlos Wasmosy in 1996. Oviedo spent several years in exile in Argentina and Brazil before returning to Paraguay in 2004, when he was arrested.
Oviedo was also alleged to have masterminded the 1999 assassination of then-Paraguayan Vice President Luis Maria Argana. Oviedo denied the charges.
Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.