NEW YORK – A US judge on Monday rejected prosecutors\’ demands for alleged Wall Street swindler Bernard Madoff to be detained, but tightened pre-trial bail conditions.

The ruling meant that Madoff, 70, will remain in his US$7 million (S$10.4 million) New York apartment where he has been confined since being arrested Dec 11 on charges of running a US$50 billion pyramid fraud.

New conditions include compiling a detailed inventory of valuable portable items and a ban on transfer of all assets, the judge said in his ruling posted on the New York federal courthouse\’s website.

The decision was in answer to prosecutors\’ claim last week that Madoff violated his existing bail terms by sending out more than a million dollars\’ worth of jewellery to friends and relatives.

An avalanche of angry comments hit Internet blogs, adding to an outcry from victims and media commentators, including speakers on business television CNBC who called for Madoff to be sent to the notorious Guantanamo military prison.

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This post was submitted by Adam Sandler.