The criminal court in Manama ordered Rajab's release from custody but barred him from leaving the country, setting the next hearing in his trial to January 20, the source told AFP, requesting anonymity.
Rajab, a member of Bahrain's Shiite majority, which has been protesting against the Gulf kingdom's Sunni rulers since 2011, was arrested on October 1 after posting comments on Twitter about the interior and defence ministries.