A British university lecturer who was arrested in Brazil two weeks ago over the alleged non-payment of child support has been freed.
Martin Boyle's release was confirmed by his lawyer, Alexandre Cerqueira.
Mr Boyle told the BBC his release had happened "very quickly" but that he was "very relieved."
Mr Cerqueira said Mr Boyle's release had been ordered by a judge following a successful legal challenge. He was freed at 1900 local time on Friday.
Airport arrest
Martin Boyle, who is divorced from his Brazilian wife, was arrested on 25 July when he arrived at Guarulhos International Airport on the outskirts of Sao Paulo.
The 45-year-old University of Kent lecturer had come to Brazil to try to see his 16-year-old daughter, but was arrested over the alleged non-payment of child support.
It was initially claimed that Mr Boyle owed £4,000 in back payments and this was paid over by his father in England, but the authorities in Brazil later said the total sum owed could amount to £28,000.
Mr Boyle says he has not been able to gain access to his daughter since 2001.
A legal challenge to secure his release was launched earlier this week on the grounds that while the authorities in Brazil were aware of his address in England they had not notified him of the money that was owed.
"The average number of people in the cell was 15 and I slept on floor all the time"His lawyer also argued that it was impossible to do anything about paying the large sum of money involved while he was still in custody.
"I am very relieved - it all happened very quickly," Mr Boyle told the BBC on Friday night shortly after his release.
"The senior police officer came in and asked 'who is the English guy here?' and I put my hand up and he said 'you are free, you are out of here' and everyone jumped up and cheered and started to clap.
"There were 22 in the cell yesterday, and we were jam packed, but they split us up - one half in one cell and one half in the other.
"The average number of people in the cell was 15 and I slept on the floor all the time. I don't think there are beds in Brazilian prisons.
"They said I wasn't supposed to be with real criminals but the majority of people there were hardened criminals who happened to be in for child maintenance.
"I was worried about my safety when I first went in, you go through an initiation process when you go in - when the other prisoners gather round you and they surround you in the little bathroom.
"After they've scared you, they laughed and said we are all fathers here - we are all in for child maintenance."
Mr Boyle is planning to stay with friends in Sao Paulo and says he does not plan to return to the United Kingdom until September, and still hopes to see his daughter.
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