Three Nauru men, jailed earlier this week on convictions resulting from an anti-government protest, have been released.
This follows their lawyers lodging an appeal to the High Court of Australia over extended sentences handed down on Tuesday.
The three, John Jeremiah, Job Cecil and Josh Kepae had pleaded guilty last year to offences such as rioting, disturbing the peace and assault during the protest at parliament nearly two years ago.
Their original sentences of terms of 3 to 6 months had been extended up to 22 months.
The men's team of Australian lawyers lodged the appeal and an effect of that is the placement of a stay on the sentences.
The court hearing in Australia could be some months away.
Meanwhile the push for a temporary stay on the trial of another 18 men charged over the protest has been adjourned until July.
The defence is seeking a stay claiming the men face difficulty in getting a fair trial.
They are also seeking a judicial review in the Supreme Court of the refusal of magistrate, Penijamini Lomaloma, to enforce subpoenas against key government officials, including the justice minister, the secretary of justice and the son of the president.
The men had refused to testify saying they had immunity conveyed by President Baron Waqa.
