Bove comes out of jail

Bove staged a hunger strike while in prison

Radical French farmer Jose Bove, jailed for tearing down a McDonald's restaurant under construction in 1999, has been released from prison.

The anti-globalisation activist - known for his opposition to multinational companies and US trade policies - went to jail on 19 June to serve a three-month sentence.

If we only have the choice between breaking the law or submitting to it, we will break the law

Jose Bove

He told a crowd of supporters who had gathered to greet him as he left the prison near the southern city of Montpellier that their struggle would continue.

His jail term, during which he went on hunger strike, was reduced because of his good behaviour and a presidential pardon.

He was sentenced for destroying the half-built fast food outlet in Millau in a protest against US trade protectionism.

Legitimate protest

He launched a series of appeals, but finally ran out of room for manoeuvre in February when he lost the last round of his legal battle.

However, the order for him to serve his sentence was delayed until after the French presidential and parliamentary elections.

Bove still faces charges of destroying fields of GM crops.

Bove does not deny that he carried out the attacks, but says they constitute a legitimate form of political protest.