Ultranationalist Buddhist monk U Wirathu notorious for his anti-Muslim remarks was released from Insein Prison on Monday evening.

Ashin Wirathu -- once dubbed by Time magazine as the "Buddhist Bin Laden" for his role in stirring up religious hatred in Myanmar -- was released after all charges against him were dropped, a statement said.

He was "receiving treatment at a military hospital" it added, without give any details on why he had been hospitalised.

The 53-year-old has long been known for his nationalist anti-Islamic rhetoric -- particularly against the stateless Rohingya Muslim community.

In 2017, Myanmar's highest Buddhist authority banned him from preaching for one year over his tirades.

After the ban expired, however, the pro-military preacher once again became a regular at nationalist rallies, where he accused the government of corruption and fumed against its failed attempts to re-write the junta-scripted constitution.

His case was heard in a video conference on Monday and he was released because the Yangon Region government dropped the case.

Under the tenure of the National League for Democracy, U Wirathu, known for his ultranationalist activities, was charged under Section 124 (a) of the Penal Code, which criminalizes comments that “bring into hatred or contempt” or “excite disaffection against the government”.

After that, on November 2 last year, he turned himself in to authorities in Yangon Western District Court and was detained for 10 months.

Additional reporting AFP