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Russia ex-nuclear minister facing fraud charges leaves jail

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MOSCOW, July 21 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's former nuclear power minister accused of embezzlement and abuse of power left jail Friday where he had spent six months.

Yevgeny Adamov, 67, has been in custody for 15 months after being arrested in Switzerland at the request of the United States and has been in a Russian prison for the past six months after being extradited at the start of the year.

The Supreme Court ruled earlier on Friday to release Adamov from custody, overturning a decision of the Moscow City Court to extend the ex-minister's custody until August 8.

Adamov was met by his wife, daughter and grandson and also lawyer Timofei Gridnev at the exit from the jail.

"I must stay with my family, my grandson now," he said. "I have two granddaughters and two grandsons, and tomorrow I will have to go back to work."

Gridnev said in early June that Adamov had suffered three heart attacks during his custody.

"If you think that this institution can improve one's health, you are mistaken," Adamov said but added that the Moscow prison was no worse than the pre-trial detention center in Bern, Switzerland, where he had spent nine months.

Adamov said he was bound over to remain in the country.

"I have already signed the paper to stay within Moscow and the Moscow Region," Adamov said, adding that he would need special permission to travel further within Russia.

He also said that he planned to visit the United States to attend trial but did not specify when.

The U.S. accused Adamov of misappropriating $9 million given to Russia for nuclear safety projects. He would have faced 60 years in prison if convicted in the U.S.

Prosecutors have said the former minister, who served from 1998 to 2001, was a leader of an organized criminal group whose members were on an international wanted list and that he should be remanded in custody to prevent him from influencing witnesses.

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