One of the men accused of leading the coup against former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev was released from prison Saturday, a news agency reported.
Prosecutors decided to release Vasily Starodubtsev, leader of the Peasants Union, after reviewing his case, ITAR-Tass reported.But the charges against Starodubtsev remain in effect, Tass reported. No trial date has been set for Starodubtsev or the other alleged plotters.
Starodubtsev submitted a written promise to remain at his home in the Tula province, according to the report.
Russian President Boris Yeltsin, who led the popular movement that thwarted the coup attempt, issued a letter saying that Starodubtsev's release into home custody would be "humane," ITAR-Tass said.
Other members of the committee that attempted to seize power in August remain jailed. They include former KGB Chief Vladimir Kryuchkov, Prime Minister Valentin Pavlov, Defense Minister Dmitri Yazov, Vice President Gennady Yanayev and Alexander Tizyakov, head of the state enterprise association.