US Rapper Meek Mill released from prison after 5 months

Meek Mill has been released from prison five months after being sentenced for breaking the terms of his probation.

"While the past five months have been a nightmare, the prayers, visits, calls, letters and rallies have helped me stay positive," he said in a statement.

The 30-year-old was due to serve between two and four years but a court granted him bail due to the "credibility" concerns of a witness.

Beyonce, Jay-Z and comedian Kevin Hart were part of a campaign to free him.

Just hours after being released, the rapper attended a basketball game in his home city of Philadelphia.

He was given the honour of ringing the ceremonial Liberty Bell which signals the start of the game.

Another influential name behind the campaign to free Meek Mill was Michael Rubin - co-owner of the Philadelphia 76ers basketball team.

The billionaire picked the rapper up in a helicopter before the pair headed to the game.

Meek Mill, whose real name is Robert Williams, was arrested in August 2017 for reckless driving.

It happened while he was riding a dirt bike in New York filming a music video.

Although the charges were later dropped, a judge ruled the arrest itself was a breach of his probation.

SOURCE: BBC NEWS
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