Dutch lawyer released after conviction in Trump-Russia investigation

Alex van der Zwaan, the Dutch lawyer who was sentenced to jail for lying to the FBI in Robert Mueller's investigation into possible Russian interference in the United States presidential elections in 2016, has been released from prison, NOS reports.

The Dutch lawyer was sentenced to 30 days in prison and a fine of over 16 thousand euros. He reported to a low-security facility in Pennsylvania to serve his sentence last month. 

In February Van der Zwaan admitted that he lied about his contacts with Rick Gates - a former employee of Donald Trump's campaign for the presidential election. Gates and former campaign manager Paul Manafort are accused of, among other things, money laundering, fraud, and working for a foreign power - Ukraine. 

While being questioned by the Mueller team in November, Van der Zwaan lied about when he spoke with Rick Gates and an unnamed third person, referred to as Person A. in the indictment against the Dutch lawyer. He is also accused of lying about a phone call with Gates and Person A. in September 2016, and of hiding or destroying incriminating emails. 

Van der Zwaan was the first person to be convicted in Mueller's investigation. The court sentenced him to prison, because the judge believed a fine alone would not leave an impression on Van der Zwaan, who is married to the daughter of a Russian billionaire, according to NOS.