Usain Bolt calls for Vybz Kartel to be released from prison!

The six-time Olympic gold medallist made the public appeal in support of his fellow Jamaican at a packed gig in Kingston

Olympic 100m champ Usain Bolt has called for a gangland murderer to be freed from his life sentence, writes Matthew Drake in the Sunday People .

The six-time gold medallist made his appeal in support of fellow Jamaican Vybz Kartel over the microphone at a packed gig in the island’s capital Kingston.

Dancehall musician Kartel, 39 – the alleged leader of the murderous Gaza gang – was convicted last year of killing associate Clive “Lizard” Williams .

A court heard that a text sent from Kartel’s phone claimed the victim had been chopped into so many pieces the body would never be found.

Bolt, 29, was filmed paying a DJ thousands of Jamaican dollars to play just Kartel’s music at the party at Uptown Mondays.

A video of his “Free the Gaza boss” plea last week emerged on social media.

The sprinter, known for his Lightning Bolt pose, was also pictured copying a trademark hand salute associated with the Jamaican gang.

Controversial: Dancehall star and convicted gang murderer Vybz Kartel

Bolt is widely seen as the great hope for athletics as it tries to clean up its image after a string of drug allegations involving top stars. He was unavailable for comment tonight.

The doping scandal has resulted in the International Association of Athletics Federations provisionally suspending Russia’s controlling body for the sport.

And Lord Coe, the IAFF’s British president, had to ditch a £100,000-a-year role as ambassador for sports gear giant Nike amid conflict of interest claims.