The police officer charged with killing George Floyd, the African-American whose death sparked a mass protest movement, was released from a Minnesota jail on Wednesday on $1 million bail.
Derek Chauvin, who was filmed pressing his knee to handcuffed Mr Floyd's neck until he went limp and later died during an arrest in May, is charged with second and third degree murder and manslaughter.
The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office said Mr Chauvin was released after more than four months in jail upon posting the hefty bond, which came with conditions that he remain in Minneapolis until the trial.
Neither Mr Chauvin nor his lawyer offered any comment.
But Ben Crump, lawyer for Mr Floyd's family, criticised his release.
"Derek Chauvin posted a $1m bail today – buying his freedom after robbing George Floyd of his life over $20," he said on Twitter.
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From left, Quacy, Quintan, both 12, Milo, and Quacy Jr, both 16 hold placards as they walk in the rain after attending a Black Lives Matter protest in front of Lafayette Park, near the White House, Washington DC. AFP -
A man reacts at a memorial for George Floyd following a day of demonstration in a call for justice for the black American who died while in custody of the Minneapolis police, on June 5, 2020, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. AFP -
A protester participates in a demonstration during a storm in front of Lafayette Park next to the White House, Washington, DC. AFP -
Demonstrators attend a Black Lives Matter protest to express solidarity with US protestors in Sydney. AFP -
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, second left, takes a knee during in a Black Lives Matter protest on Parliament Hill, Ottawa, Canada. AFP -
Protesters take a knee and raise their fists during a 'Black Lives Matter' demonstration in front of the Brooklyn Library and Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn, New York. AFP -
Youths kneel with placards reading 'Black Lives Matter' in front of riot police officers blocking the way in Athens during a rally against racism and police brutality and in support to the protests in US. AFP -
People hold banners during a Black Lives Matter rally in central Seoul, South Korea. EPA -
A man holds a placard in solidarity with thousands of people marching during a Black Lives Matter protest in Brisbane. AP -
Protesters wear masks during a rally in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter demonstration on June 6, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. Getty -
Aboriginal elders conduct a traditional smoking ceremony at Town Hall during a 'Black Lives Matter' protest on June 6, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. Getty -
Demonstrators are seen in the rain wearing protective face masks during a Black Lives Matter protest in Verulamium Park, St Albans, Britain, following the death of George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis, on June 6, 2020. Reuters -
People hold placards at a Black Lives Matter protest to express solidarity with US protesters, in Melbourne on June 6, 2020. AFP -
Activists hold placards as they attend a rally in support of the 'Black Lives Matter' demonstrations in the US, during a march in the Myeongdong district of central Seoul on June 6, 2020. AFP -
Activists hold placards as they attend a rally in support of the 'Black Lives Matter' protests, during a march in the Myeongdong district of central Seoul on June 6, 2020. AFP -
A placard reading "black lives matter" is seen in a car during a communal conference of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) at a drive-in cinema on the site of the former blast furnace Phoenix West in Dortmund, western Germany, on June 6, 2020 amid the novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. The conference aims at preparing the local elections in September. / AFP / Ina FASSBENDER -
Protesters chant and hold placards during a 'Black Lives Matter' march on June 6, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. Getty -
A young child attends the 'Black Lives Matter' march with her family on June 6, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. Getty -
Protesters gather at a Black Lives Matter rally in Genoa, Italy, on June 6, 2020. EPA -
Demonstrators wearing protective face masks attend a Black Lives Matter protest in London's Parliament Square on June 6, 2020, following the death of George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis. Reuters
"His release on bond is a painful reminder to George's family that we are still far from achieving justice."
The 44-year-old former Minneapolis police officer, who has since been sacked, is to face trial in March 2021 along with three other now ex-police officers over Mr Floyd's death, which triggered the largest US anti-racism movement since the 1960s.
The other three, Thomas Lane, Alexander Kueng and Tou Thao, who either stood by or participated in holding Mr Floyd down when he was killed, are charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and manslaughter.
All three were released earlier on bail.
Mr Floyd's death on May 25 became a symbol of what many say is systemic racism and abuse of African Americans by police, and sparked protests across the country that continue under the banner of "Black Lives Matter."
Prosecutors called the death, which came after Mr Floyd was detained for allegedly using a counterfeit $20 bill, "vicious, brutal, and dehumanising".
All four defendants say the decision to restrain Mr Floyd was reasonably justified, and have also cited coroner evidence that drugs found in his system may have been the primary cause of death.
The officers were all fired one day after Mr Floyd's death, reflecting the growing seriousness with which US cities are beginning to take police abuse allegations.
The killing sparked weeks of protests around the country, with the shootings and deaths of other African Americans – including Breonna Taylor in Louisville, Kentucky – contributing evidence to the claim that Blacks are disproportionately victims of police shootings when compared to other races.
Online a number of groups were calling for new protests over the coming days over Mr Chauvin's release, but it was not clear whether large numbers were expected.
