Self-styled Shetland independence campaigner Stuart Hill was released from detention by Lerwick Sheriff Court on Friday after serving 16 days behind bars.
The 73 year old English man was locked up on 20 January for contempt of court after he refused to step into the dock to face a charge of vandalism, a charge he denied.
On Friday the Crown dropped the original charge, which was based on actions Hill took at the North Bridge Stores in Cunningsburgh last year.
Instead Sheriff Philip Mann sentenced Hill to 28 days in jail for contempt, backdated to 20 January. Having served more than half his prison term he was eligible for release.
This is the second time Hill has spent time in prison for refusing to recognise the authority of the court in Shetland, having spent 12 days inside four years ago.
Speaking after the hearing yesterday from his home at Bard View, Ocraquoy, Cunningsburgh, Hill said he was disappointed the original case had been dropped by the procurator fiscal.
He explained the unusual circumstances surrounding the charge against him as being part of his campaign to be taken to court where he could challenge its jurisdiction in Shetland, which he believes is not legally part of Scotland or the UK.