Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was freed from prison Sunday after serving 16 months on corruption charges, authorities said.

Olmert was initially sentenced to 27 months, but was released early after serving about two-thirds of his sentence.

The former leader was imprisoned for taking cash from an American businessman and also getting bribes related to a controversial Jerusalem housing project while he was mayor.

He was mayor of Jerusalem from 1993 to 2003, and took over as Prime Minister in 2006 after a stroke incapacitated Ariel Sharon.

Two years later, he resigned amid a corruption scandal, and was charged and imprisoned last year.
Israeli Prison Service spokesman Assaf Librati confirmed his release.

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