JERUSALEM, July 4 (Xinhua) -- Israeli President Reuven Rivlin on Tuesday granted a pardon to former prime minister Ehud Olmert, who was released on parole from prison earlier this week after serving a corruption sentence.
An official statement released by the President's Residence said that the move cancels most of the limitations that were imposed on Olmert after his early release.
Olmert could now leave the country and he would not have to report twice a month to a police station.
Olmert, 71, was released from jail on Sunday, after serving 16 months of his 27-month sentence. He was freed under a decision on Thursday by Israel Prison Service's parole board to grant him early release.
His lawyers appealed President Rivlin with a request to pardon Olmert on the day of his release.
In March, Rivlin rejected a request to grant Olmert a clemency, which could have Olmert released right away.
Olmert is the first Israeli prime minister to serve time in jail.
He started to serve his term on February 15, 2016, after the Supreme Court had reduced his six-year sentence to 18 months.
