A court in South Korea has refused a request by prosecutors to issue an arrest warrant for Samsung chief Lee Jae-yong, who has been accused of bribery, embezzlement and perjury.
It ruled that there was insufficient reason to arrest him.
He was later seen leaving the Seoul detention centre where he had been awaiting the ruling.
The allegations were part of a corruption scandal which led parliament to impeach President Park Geun-hye.
Mr Lee had been waiting for the ruling for more than 12 hours, since a hearing on Wednesday.
“The merits of this case can now be determined without the need for detention,” Samsung said in response to the court order.
A spokesman for the court said the long wait for the ruling was because the judge had needed time to consider various factors before making a decision.
Full Content: Reuters
Want more news? Subscribe to CPI’s free daily newsletter for more headlines and updates on antitrust developments around the world.
