[JURIST] Former Nepal prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba [Wikipedia profile] was released from prison Tuesday in the wake of Monday's ruling by the Nepal Supreme Court [official website] declaring the Royal Commission for Corruption Control (RCCC) set up by Nepal's King Gyanendra unconstitutional [JURIST report]. The former Prime Minister was arrested last July, found guilty of corruption [JURIST report] and given a two year sentence following Gyanendra's February 2005 takeover of the government.

Deuba, who upon arrest said he was framed and refused to testify, called his release "a democratic step" and hailed the court ruling as a "victory for democracy and a humiliating defeat for the royal regime." The King's government said it would not contest Monday's ruling, but has not issued an official statement regarding Deuba's release. BBC News has more.