The authorities in Russia have freed from prison the British teenager, Karen Henderson, who was convicted of drug smuggling two years ago.

Karen (in black) leaves jail, hugged by her sister

Nineteen-year-old Henderson smiled broadly but said nothing as she left a detention centre in a Moscow suburb on Tuesday.

Her mother said they were enormously relieved that she was free, but added that it was too early to celebrate.

Next week, a Moscow court is to hear two appeals by defence and prosecution lawyers and make a final decision about whether Henderson can leave Russia.

She has served nearly two years of a six-year sentence handed down for smuggling cocaine from Cuba to Russia.

The sentence was reduced to 23 months after a retrial in December last year.

The prosecution says the reduced sentence is not long enough.

Henderson has maintained her innocence throughout.
 

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