Jailed Yemeni journalist Abdul-Karim Al Khaiwani has left jail after the nation’s president granted him an amnesty and cancelled his six-year sentence.

Al Khaiwani was imprisoned for allegedly supporting rebels in Sa’ada, north of Yemen and insulting President Saleh. He was awarded the Amnesty International Journalists Under Threat prize earlier this year.

A source close to Al Khaiwani said that he did not consider his release a pardon, but that it was a step in the right direction.