‘Fallen' anti-arpartheid hero released from prison

Anti-apartheid hero Allan Boesak, whose reputation was crushed by fraud and theft convictions, walked out of prison today, smiling broadly and continuing to protest his innocence.

Boesak served a year in prison after his conviction on four counts of fraud and theft for stealing 400,000 dollars (£285,000) from donations made to his Foundation for Peace and Justice charity, including money donated by singer Paul Simon.

‘‘I don’t know how these people who sent me to prison sleep at night,’’ Boesak said after walking out of a prison facility in Stellenbosch, about 40 kilometres (25 miles) outside Cape Town. ‘‘I’m not going to waste my time being bitter.’’

A group of about 20 supporters greeted Boesak like a hero, hugging him as he was released at about 8am.

‘‘Welcome home Allan Boesak. We salute you,’’ read one banner.

Boesak thanked his supporters for standing by him.

‘‘It’s great to be outside. It’s wonderful to be with my family,’’ he said. ‘‘My faith has been strengthened.’’

A Dutch Reformed Church minister, Boesak once headed the World Alliance of Reformed Churches and was a founding member of the anti-apartheid United Democratic Front.

He organized protest marches, was jailed by the apartheid government and emerged to travel the world to highlight apartheid’s injustices.

Reports later emerged that money he was raising to help disadvantaged children and others was going into his own pockets and financing a jet-set lifestyle.

He protested his innocence and argued that some money Simon had donated was a personal gift.

Boesak began serving his three-year sentence last May.

Prison rules allow for prisoners to be released after serving a third of their sentences, but Boesak risked having to serve longer after a mobile phone was found in his prison cell - a violation of prison rules.

Boesak said he is writing a book that will deal in part with his unfair conviction and jailing.

‘‘I’m going home and I’m going to look at the sea for a while,’’ he said.