Jean-Claude Mas, the Frenchman who sparked a global health scare by selling substandard breast implants, has been released from police custody, and faces a charge of causing bodily harm.
The boss of now defunct company Poly Implant Prothese (PIP) will not be investigated for the graver charge of manslaughter, as was expected, but now faces criminal charges which carry longer sentences than those he faces in a fraud case expected to go to trial around October.
He was released on bail of 100,000 euros, banned from leaving the country and from meeting former executives of the company.
"We are satisfied that Mr Mas could explain himself to a judge," his lawyer said.
"On the charge of involuntary homicide, the judge decided that for now there is no link," he added. "This is a relief for him."
Women who have been campaigning against PIP since French authorities banned its products nearly two years ago have welcomed the move.
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