A court in Belarus has convicted Alyaksandr Varlamau, the country's most prominent fashion designer, of fraud.
Varlamau, 57, has been in custody since his arrest in May 2011.
On July 23, the court found him guilty of fraud, embezzlement, and tax evasion and sentenced him to five years' imprisonment.
But he was freed in the courtroom after the court took into account the time he has already spent in custody and allowed him to serve his sentence at home.
He was also ordered to pay a fine of around $258,000.
Varlamau is also one of the most high-profile openly gay men in Belarus, where homosexuals are routinely harassed by the security services.
While awaiting trial in prison, he underwent a spine operation that left him walking with a stick.
Varlamau, 57, has been in custody since his arrest in May 2011.
On July 23, the court found him guilty of fraud, embezzlement, and tax evasion and sentenced him to five years' imprisonment.
But he was freed in the courtroom after the court took into account the time he has already spent in custody and allowed him to serve his sentence at home.
He was also ordered to pay a fine of around $258,000.
Varlamau is also one of the most high-profile openly gay men in Belarus, where homosexuals are routinely harassed by the security services.
While awaiting trial in prison, he underwent a spine operation that left him walking with a stick.