A Chinese journalist jailed for eight years for leaking government restrictions on reporting is now free.

Shi Tao's early release was announced by the writers' organization PEN International on Saturday - 15 months before he was scheduled to be freed.

Shi made headlines in 2004 when he sent the media restrictions to a human rights group - an act that China said amounted to "leaking state secrets," PEN said.

What's more: Internet giant Yahoo played a part in his conviction.

In a widely criticized move, Yahoo handed over Shi's e-mail account information, which the Chinese government used in the case against Shi.