Brazil frees butterfly fan

A Belgian amateur entomologist jailed for trying to leave Brazil with nine protected butterflies is due to be given a presidential pardon for Christmas.

A Federal judge said the pardon would be granted due to good conduct.

The man Robert Cande Merghelwas arrested in August in the Amazon capital of Manaus and charged with taking endangered or protected species out of the country.

He said he had no idea that Brazil had strict fauna protection laws.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service