The Russian protest artist Pyotr Pavlensky has been freed after more than half a year in detention. The artist faces a 500,000 ruble ($7,600 USD) fine for a performance in which he burned the door of the Federal Security Service (FSB) in Moscow.

Pyotr Pavlensky exits a Moscow court a free man after over six months behind bars (Reuters).

Many expected Pavlensky to see imprisonment like that of the punk group Pussy Riot, who inspired his first action, sewing his lips shut in 2012.

However, in a surprise move yesterday the state prosecution appealed for his release. It was originally suggested that the artist could see a fine of 2 million rubles ($31,000 USD) but today he was given a fine of 500,000 ($7,600 USD) and ordered to pay for the repairs of the door he burned.

While it was originally unclear whether Pavlensky would pay the fine, as he had insisted to be tried as a terrorist in solidarity with the imprisoned Ukrainian filmmaker Oleg Sentsov, in an impromptu statement exiting the courthouse he said that the outcome of the trial was unimportant.

We have to be vigilant and active. Otherwise, in the near future, the prison of daily life will literally become a real prison for all of us.

Pavlensky stressed the importance of questioning authority. The artist implored that the daily surveillance he faced behind bars cannot become the norm for 143 million Russians. Though he questioned the state’s motives in releasing him, Pavlensky celebrated the outcome

Considering his performance a great success, Pavlensky thanked his supporters. It is currently unclear what is next for the artist, who has a partner and two children.

The action could have seen the artist face three years in prison. In the end, it has contributed to the growing Russian conversation on state authority President Vladimir Putin’s policies.