TASHKENT: The jailed leader of ex-Soviet Uzbekistan's political opposition has been unexpectedly released from prison, a relative said Sunday.

Sanjar Umarov, head of the Sunshine Uzbekistan opposition movement, was sentenced to more than 10 years in prison in 2006 by an Uzbek court for supposedly heading a criminal organisation and various economic crimes.

"Sanjar Umarov was released on Saturday. He is now feeling well. We are very glad," Nodira Hidoyatova, Umarov's sister-in-law and political confidante told AFP.

Details of the decision remain unclear and Hidoyatova declined to comment further, but the move comes after Brussels dropped the last of its long-standing sanctions against Tashkent, drawing the ire of rights groups.

Last month the EU lifted an arms embargo put in place after Tashkent's refusal for an international probe into the killings of civilians during an armed uprising in the eastern province of Andijan in 2005.

Sunshine Uzbekistan was founded in 2004 and called on the United States to press for political reforms in Uzbekistan, considered one of Central Asia's most authoritarian regimes.

But the group was best known for its vocal criticism of the government's handling of the Andijan uprising, leading to speculation that his conviction was punishment for his political activities.

Umarov has always denied the charges against him and his case was condemned by international organisations, including the European Union, which expressed deep concern over the jailing of Umarov and other opposition figures.

At the time of his arrest Umarov had business and family links in the United States and at the moment it remains unclear whether he will stay in Uzbekistan or join his family there.

Uzbekistan, Central Asia's most populous country, has sought closer relations with the West in recent years, offering its territory for the transit of non-military cargo to support US forces fighting in neighbouring Afghanistan.