A neo-Nazi leader sentenced to 3 years in prison last week on illegal weapons and other charges was freed on $3,500 bond, authorities said Wednesday.

Leftist lawmakers condemned the release of Arnulf Priem, the 47-yearold leader of the banned group German Alternative, who must begin serving his sentence in a few weeks.

Priem was sentenced May 23 and released the following day because he didn’t pose a flight risk, said court spokesman Ruediger Reiff.

He was convicted on 16 counts, including forming an armed group and offending the constitutional order.

Also Wednesday, the Frankfurt state court said it was ordering another neo-Nazi leader, Guenter Deckert, to stand trial on charges of inciting racial hatred.