Aboriginal protesters freed from jail by Ontario court ruling

Seven aboriginal protesters jailed over disputes with mining companies have been freed following a decision by the Ontario Court of Appeal on Wednesday.

Six leaders from the KI First Nation in northern Ontario were jailed March 17 for disobeying court orders in an ongoing dispute with Platinex Inc.

A seventh protester from the Ardoch Algonquin First Nation was jailed in February for a similar breach in eastern Ontario.

The six KI members had already been freed temporarily on Friday after being sentenced to six months in jail.

The Appeal Court judges ruled that all seven would have their sentences reduced to time served.

The judges reserved their reasons for the ruling.