Jailed U.S. student on way home

Tobin smiles as he is released from prison

MOSCOW, Russia -- U.S. Fulbright scholar John Tobin has arrived in Moscow, the first stop on his journey home after being released from a Russian jail.

Tobin, 24, was freed on parole on Friday after serving half of a one-year sentence for obtaining, possessing and distributing marijuana.

The drugs case gained international notice when the Russian Federal Security Service said Tobin was a spy in training with U.S. intelligence. No espionage charges were ever brought.

Tobin, of Ridgefield, Connecticut, denied the drug charges and said he was jailed after refusing to spy for Russia.

He was arrested outside a nightclub in January for allegedly possessing a matchbox containing marijuana while studying political research at a university in Voronezh, south of Moscow.

Tobin declined to comment on Saturday morning as he unloaded belongings from the train at Moscow's Paveletsky Station, where he was met by a vehicle that took him to the U.S. embassy.

He became eligible for parole on Thursday, and the parole board unanimously recommended his release, citing his exemplary behaviour in prison.

Prison wardens told Russian television this week Tobin had been a model prisoner and occupied himself carving wooden boxes and picture frames and playing guitar and sport, Reuters reported.

He was originally sentenced to 37 months in prison in Rossosh, in the Voronezh region, but the sentence was reduced to one year when a higher court overturned the distribution conviction. Court officials told CNN that the reduction in sentence came as part of a case review.

The drug charges against the student came at a time when U.S.-Russian relations were already strained.

His case attracted global attention and was taken up by members of Congress from Connecticut, who wrote to Russian officials and pressed President George W. Bush to pursue the case with President Vladimir Putin.

Tobin is expected to remain in Moscow for a few days to complete documentation formalities before heading home.