The International Press Institute (IPI) today welcomed the release from prison of Belarusian photojournalist Anton Surapin, but reiterated its concern over his apparent continued prosecution.

The Belarus Association of Journalists (BAJ) said on its website Friday that Surapin had been freed on bail from a KGB detention center, but was banned from leaving his hometown of Slutsk and had signed a non-disclosure agreement. The BAJ added that Surapin’s phone and equipment remains with the KGB.

The release came the same day as 16 of IPI’s board members sent a formal petition to the KGB and to the Belarus prosecutor’s office calling for Surapin’s release and for an end to the prosecution against him.

IPI Deputy Director Anthony Mills said: “We are very happy that Mr. Surapin has been reunited with his family again, after over a month in prison. However, we continue to urge the Belarussian government to produce evidence to support its charges, or drop its case immediately.”

Surapin was arrested on July 13 and accused of aiding a Swedish public relations firm drop teddy bears carrying pro-free speech messages over Minsk after the journalism student published photos of the stuffed animals on his website.

In comments published today in Swedish media, Surapin told AFP, “I don’t consider myself guilty or involved in this case. The fact that I managed to publish these unique shots I consider is my success as a journalist.”