Ex-US governor starts prison term

Ex-US governor starts prison term
The former Republican governor of Illinois has begun a six-and-a-half year prison sentence for corruption.
George Ryan, 73, entered a federal prison in Wisconsin on Wednesday after the Supreme Court turned down his appeal to stay free on bail.

He was convicted in 2006 for steering state contracts to friends and associates in return for rewards.

Mr Ryan, who is known for his opposition to the death penalty, has always said he is innocent.

Nobel Nominee

The former governor was convicted along with lobbyist Larry Warner on 18 counts including racketeering, conspiracy, and fraud.

Mr Ryan has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of his opposition to the death penalty.

In 2000 he imposed a moratorium on executions in Illinois after 13 inmates on death row were found to have been wrongfully convicted.

He also commuted the death sentences of 167 inmates to life in prison before he left office in 2003