Jussie Smollett has been released from jail after just six days behind bars.
A court order obtained by E! News revealed that the former Empire actor was given the opportunity to post bail of $150,000 and leave jail six days into his 150-day sentence.
Smollett's release comes after his legal team claimed he was at high risk of being harmed in prison, and filed for his immediate release earlier this week.
The team is also filing an appeal on Smollett's case, BBC News reports. Because the appellate court's decision may not be finalized until after the duration of his sentence, they agreed to grant a "stay" or pause in his jail time. If the actor loses his appeal, his sentence will start over and he will serve all 150 days from scratch.
Smollett was handed prison time alongside a $120,000 restitution payment and $25,000 fine by Judge James Linn of Cook County circuit court on March 10. His sentencing came just months after he was convicted of falsely claiming to have been the victim of a racist and homophobic attack - which police have since accused him of orchestrating himself.
The 39-year-old was convicted after two brothers - who he knew from working on Empire - testified that he paid them to carry out the 'hate crime' on him in January 2019. According to the brothers, Smollet not only gave them money to buy rope and ski masks but also issued detailed instructions that they were to tie a noose around his neck and shout specific slurs at him.
After his sentencing last week, the actor - who continues to maintain his innocence - has received threats on social media which his team claim "reflects the hatred and wish for physical harm toward Smollett which he may experience during incarceration," and used as a basis for requesting his immediate release.
They also cited a threatening phone call received by Smollett's sibling, in which an anonymous man speaks about harming him in jail. In a video of the call shared by Smollet's legal team on Monday, a voice can reportedly be heard saying:
"I hope what they do to that guy in jail – here’s what they’re going to do, right. They’re going to take a broom handle and take that little [expletive], shove it in there, and he’s gonna go, '[shrieking sound].'"
The actor has not spoken publically since his release. However, his lawyer, Nenye Uche, told reporters that his incarceration was a result of racism within the legal system.
"We've been complaining about the disparate treatment of African Americans in the judicial system regardless of what you think about this case. Some people might think Mr. Smollett is guilty. I disagree," he said, adding: "But a real question is should Black men be locked into jail for a class four felony. Shame on you if you think they should. That's a disgrace. It's wrong."
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