Alexandru Covali, aka Şalun, has been formally freed five years and five months before his scheduled release, after the Balti Court of Appeals upheld the district court’s decision satisfying his request. It was reported that in the meantime Covali fled Moldova in violation of parole conditions.

The man had been sentenced to 19 years in prison on child prostitution and sex trafficking charges.

Covali petitioned the court to be released under a compensatory mechanism, endorsed by the European Court of Human Rights, that allows inmates to request a reduced term due to poor detention conditions.

The Lipcani Prison had appealed the district court’s ruling, but Balti Court of Appeals upheld it on July 13.

Covali was effectively released on parole on January 28. The investigative newspaper Ziarul de Gardă reported that the man fled Moldova in the meantime.