German reporter released by Venezuela returns home

A German reporter held by Venezuelan authorities for four months flew back home Sunday after being conditionally released, a Venezuelan NGO has said.

Billy Six (32) "is in the air right now, flying from Caracas," Carlos Correa, head of the Espacio Publico non-governmental group that defends free speech, told AFP.

The organisation published a photo on Twitter showing the German in a plane making the sign of a "V" for victory with his fingers.

Arrests of media employees have increased in recent months as President Nicolas Maduro and opposition leader Juan Guaido duel over who is the legitimate president of the economically-devastated stricken country.

Six was arrested in northern Falcon state on November 17 for allegedly photographing Maduro at a proximity deemed too close by the leader's minders.

After being held for four months by the Venezuelan intelligence service -- during which he staged a brief hunger strike -- he was released on Friday with orders to report to court every two ...