Former Shas minister Shlomo Benizri, who was sentenced to four years in jail for accepting bribes, breach of trust and other offenses, was released from prison on Thursday.
His release came earlier than expected, as part of a move by prison authorities to relieve prison overcrowding.
Benziri told reporters upon his release that he would continue to serve his country, but not in politics. "They sent an innocent man to jail," he said, insisting that a main witness in his trial had lied.