Businessman Hamid Ismail has been released after serving his prison sentence.

Hamid is a relative of jailed former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb.

The information officer of the correctional service has confirmed that Hamid was released on Saturday.

He was given a two-year and 18-month sentence in 2016 over his involvement in the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations (MMPRC) embezzlement scandal.

His brother Adeeb is serving prison sentences totaling 33 years, including for the MMPRC case.

MMPRC’s then managing director Abdulla Ziyath is serving an eight-year prison sentence.