Eads ex-boss is bailed in probe

Noel Forgeard, former co-chief executive of Airbus maker Eads, has been released on bail after nearly 36 hours in Paris police custody over alleged insider trading while heading the aerospace giant.

The 61-year-old was freed early today on condition he pays a sum yet to be specified, his lawyer Jean-Alain Michel said.

French judges are investigating the selling of Eads shares in 2006 by people inside the company just weeks before Airbus unveiled a second tranche of delays to its A380 superjumbo. That news wiped nearly a quarter from the company's value.

Forgeard and other current and former executives have denied knowing about the A380 delays when selling the stock. Eads has also denied wrongdoing.

Forgeard's lawyer said he had been cleared on a second count requested by prosecutors, that of misleading financial markets.