Congolese court orders release of president's former top aide from prison

FILE PHOTO: Vital Kamerhe, leader of the Union for the Congolese Nation (UNC) party, with Felix Tshisekedi, leader of Congolese main opposition the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS) party and presidential candidate, arrive at N'djili International Airport in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo November 27, 2018. REUTERS/Kenny Katombe/File Photo

KINSHASA (Reuters) - Vital Kamerhe, former chief of staff to Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi, has been granted provisional release from prison where he was serving a 13-year sentence for embezzling $48 million in public funds, his lawyer said on Monday.

Kamerhe started his sentence last year after becoming the most senior politician to face trial for graft in Democratic Republic of Congo, where high-level corruption is endemic.