OTTAWA (AFP) - Canadian Foreign Minister Maxime Bernier welcomed Tuesday the news that a citizen jailed in India for the last ten months was to be released, according to a ministry statement.

Sault Itzhayek, 42, from Montreal, was arrested last May for entering India on an expired visa. According to media reports, he claimed to be victim of a set-up by policemen who wanted to extort money out of him.

He was jailed for three years but has now been granted early release.

"Canada and India have a strong, long-standing relationship with a history of mutual values of freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law," Bernier said.

"We are pleased that justice has prevailed in India, and that Mr. Itzahayek is free to return to Canada."

He added that consular officials in Ottawa, New Delhi and Kathmandu had been "actively working" on Itzhayek's case.

LIKE IT?  LET OTHERS KNOW