Lawyer says jailed Venezuelan opposition leader Ceballos to be released to house arrest

Patricia Ceballos wife of opposition leader Daniel Ceballos cries as she speaks to the media outside of her apartment in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015. It was announced by authorities Tuesday, that her husband will be placed under house arrest, while he awaits trial for "civil rebellion". Daniel Ceballos, a former mayor of the restive western city of San Cristobal, will be released for health reasons, stirring hope for the dozens of other administration critics who remain behind bars. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano) (The Associated Press)

Patricia Ceballos wife of opposition leader Daniel Ceballos smiles as she looks towards her apartment where her husband will be placed under house arrest, while he awaits trial for "civil rebellion". Ceballos, a former mayor of the restive western city of San Cristobal, will be released for health reasons, stirring hope for the dozens of other administration critics who remain behind bars. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano) (The Associated Press)

CARACAS, Venezuela – Lawyers for a jailed Venezuelan opposition leader say he will be transferred to house arrest while awaiting trial.

Attorney Juan Carlos Gutierrez announced Tuesday that prosecutors had given permission for Daniel Ceballos to be released to his home.

Venezuelan authorities removed Ceballos as mayor of the western city of San Cristobal during anti-government protests last year. He was arrested and quickly convicted on charges of disobeying authority for his refusal to remove demonstrators' barricades.

Although he completed that one-year sentence, he was ordered to remain in custody pending trial on more serious charges tied to his support for protests in the city.

In May, Ceballos won a primary in San Cristobal from behind bars. But elections officials later barred him from holding public office.