France's foreign ministry announced that Serge Atlaoui was released from an Indonesian jail and would soon travel home

France's foreign ministry announced that Serge Atlaoui was released from an Indonesian jail and would soon travel home.

Serge Atlaoui had been sentenced to life behind bars in 2008. But the sentence was changed to capital punishment in July after Indonesia abolished its death penalty moratorium.

He appealed against the ruling, which has not yet been considered by an appeal court.

France is seeking diplomatic solutions to have the judgment overturned and ensure that he does not serve his prison sentence in Indonesia, a ministry spokeswoman said.

The 55-year-old was arrested in 2005 during a police raid on a factory where drugs were allegedly being produced. He has consistently denied wrongdoing, claiming his arrest came after arguments with his girlfriend, who had run the factory.

His family have welcomed the news of his release, saying they will hug him as hard as we can.

Atlaoui's lawyer, Yves Mogliazza, said he would be allowed to stay at a prison guesthouse until an appeals court has ruled on the case, adding that he was hopeful the appeal would succeed.

The principle of double jeopardy [not being tried twice for the same offence] applies in France and Indonesia, Mr Mogliazza told French media.

But the lawyer also expressed concern about the possible impact on diplomatic relations with Indonesia if Atlaoui were to be executed.

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