A former Caracas police chief was released from jail on Saturday on humanitarian grounds, having been jailed for his role in the 2002 coup against Hugo Chavez.

Ivan Simonovis was imprisoned for 30 years in 2004 in connection with the death of pro-government protesters who had rushed to the defence of then president Mr Chavez during the failed coup.

He was convicted of aggravated murder in 2009.

The judge who authorised Mr Simonovis’s release barred him from making statements to the press, engaging in politics or using social media.

Mr Simonovis waved to opposition supporters from a balcony at his home in the leafy La Florida neighbourhood.

His lawyers said in May that he was suffering from 19 ­illnesses, including several problems in his back and ­spinal cord, and that his condition was deteriorating.

The Supreme Court made clear that he must return to jail once his health improved.