Crossword Genius

Group not charged - allowed to leave (3,4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

set free

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'charged allowed to leave' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'group not' is the wordplay.
'group' becomes 'set' (both can mean a collection).
'not' becomes 'free' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'set'+'free'='SET FREE'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for set free that I've seen before include "Released" , "Turn loose" , "without the box" , "Uncaged birds have been" , "no longer confined" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Independent.
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