DST News: France’s former President Nicolas Sarkozy has been released from prison after a Paris appeals court approved his request for freedom under judicial supervision, just 20 days into his five-year sentence for criminal conspiracy related to alleged illegal campaign funding from Libya in 2007.
Sarkozy, 70, left La Santé prison quietly by car and returned to his home in western Paris. This low-profile exit contrasted sharply with the highly public scene when he first entered custody, accompanied by his wife, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, waving to supporters.
Although free for now, Sarkozy is not allowed to leave France and is forbidden from contacting co-defendants, witnesses, or others tied to the case. The appeals court also issued a rare ban on him communicating with Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin, who had visited Sarkozy in prison, drawing criticism from judges who said the visit threatened judicial independence.
An appeals trial is expected in the spring. Sarkozy continues to insist he is innocent, saying in a social media statement: “I will now prepare for the appeal trial… My energy is focused on proving my innocence. The truth will prevail.”
Speaking via video from prison during Monday’s hearing, Sarkozy said the experience had been deeply painful. “I never imagined I would be in prison at 70. It was imposed on me. It was very hard,” he said, while also thanking prison staff for their support.
Sarkozy became the first former French president in modern history to be jailed after his conviction on September 25. He was taken into custody on October 21 while awaiting appeal, but his lawyers immediately sought early release, arguing he was neither a flight risk nor a threat to the investigation. French law generally allows release while appeals are ongoing unless there is a clear danger.
Sarkozy continues to face several legal challenges. He awaits a ruling on illegal financing of his 2012 re-election campaign and is still under investigation for alleged witness tampering in the Libya case. He also has a previous conviction for corruption and influence peddling, upheld by France’s highest court in 2023.
Source: AP
