Fiji's former prime minister Laisenia Qarase was released from prison Wednesday, after serving seven months of his sentence, state-run Fiji Broadcasting Corporation confirmed.

Qarase was dropped off at his home by Fiji Corrections Service officers shortly before lunch time Wednesday. Family members and supporters gathered at his home in the capital of Suva.

Qarase was found guilty on nine charges of abusing his office and failing to perform his duties as a public servant in the early 1990s, and was sentenced to 12-month imprisonment by Fiji's High Court last year on charges related to abuse of office.

According to court documents, Qarase failed to disclose a private investment interest in three companies that he was helping to manage in an official capacity.

The former prime minister was eligible for parole after seven- month imprisonment.

Qarase served six years as prime minister before being ousted by Fiji's current prime minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama in a 2006 coup. The latter, who has promised to hold elections in 2014, has made clear his disdain of Qarase and the former prime minister 's political policy of favoring native Fijians ahead of other ethnic groups.

The South Pacific island country has released a draft Constitution, and the new Constitution is expected to include provisions to prevent convicted criminals from running for office, which means the convictions will likely end Qarase's political career.