Venezuela frees U.S. filmmaker Timothy Tracy

CARACAS, Venezuela A U.S. filmmaker jailed on espionage charges in Venezuela says he has been released and is on his way back to the United States.

Tiffany Tracy reported the release of her brother Timothy Tracy in an emailed message on Wednesday. It's confirmed by Venezuelan government spokesman Raimundo Urrechaga.

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Family and friends say the 35-year-old Hollywood producer and actor had been making a documentary about Venezuelan politics when he was arrested on April 24 at Caracas' airport as he tried to leave the country to attend his father's 80th birthday in suburban Detroit.

Venezuelan officials allege Tracy was a spy who was trying to destabilize the country. U.S. President Barack Obama has called that allegation "ridiculous."