US actor Aude freed from Pakistani prison

An American actor accused of drug smuggling returned home to Los Angeles on Sunday after spending nearly three years in a Pakistani prison before a judge commuted his sentence.

Erik Aude, 24, who had roles in the film Dude, Where's My Car? and the WB Network television series 7th Heaven, met his mother, Sherry Aude, manager Richard Murphy and others at Los Angeles Airport.

"It's such a relief to be home," the actor said.

Aude was arrested at the Islamabad airport in February 2002 after officials reported finding nearly 3.6 kg of opium hidden in the lining of a suitcase he was carrying.

Sherry Aude said her son was set up by a man he thought was a leather goods importer who needed a courier. The man hired the actor to pick up leather samples in Islamabad. Aude's mother said her son had no knowledge drugs were in the suitcase.

Aude was sentenced in January 2003 to seven years in a Pakistani prison. His mother fought for his release, working with local politicians and world figures.

Aude's mother and manager said a Pakistani judge earlier this month ordered his sentence commuted to time served after the man who hired him was convicted in the United States on drug-smuggling charges. In a deposition, the man said he never told Aude he would be picking up opium on the trip, they said.

Aude lost more than 27 kg in the first few months he was in prison, his mother said.

- REUTERS