Moscow, June 19 (IANS/RIA Novosti) The former head of a Russian rocket technology firm, who was jailed in 2007 for selling state secrets to China, has been released on parole.

Igor Reshetin, former director of TsNIIMASH-Export, was sentenced to 11 and a half years in jail. The term was later reduced to seven on appeal.

Reshetin was charged with illegally selling state-controlled technology to a Chinese firm and with stealing 30 million roubles ($925,000) through bogus companies.

Reshetin's father, Andrei Reshetin, told Radio Liberty that his son was already with his family.

Several of his colleagues were also jailed.

The TsNIIMASH-Export firm was then linked with Russia's state space agency.

Reshetin insists he is innocent, and rights groups have said he was convicted on fake charges, a claim denied by the authorities.

--IANS/RIA Novosti

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