Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy was released from prison on Monday after serving just three weeks of a five-year sentence for criminal conspiracy related to campaign financing. A Paris appeals court granted Sarkozy’s request for early release while his appeal is pending, imposing strict judicial supervision and travel restrictions. The conviction stemmed from a scheme to secure funds from Libya for his 2007 presidential campaign, though Sarkozy continues to claim innocence and says his imprisonment was “a nightmare”.
Court Conditions and Legal Context
Under the terms of his provisional release, Sarkozy cannot contact individuals involved in his case and is barred from leaving France pending further hearings. Prosecutors supported supervised release, noting the legal precedent for granting defendants freedom while awaiting appeals, unless there is a flight risk or potential for witness tampering. Sarkozy, France’s president from 2007 to 2012, was the first former leader in modern French history to be jailed, sparking intense public debate over judicial independence and political accountability.
Political and Personal Reactions
At Monday’s hearing, Sarkozy appeared via video, calling his time in La Santé prison “very hard” and asserting, “I will never concede to something I did not do.” His wife Carla Bruni-Sarkozy and sons attended, with supporters and critics gathered outside the courthouse. Sarkozy faces additional legal challenges, including a November 26 ruling on unlawful financing in his 2012 campaign and ongoing investigations related to the Libya affair.
The court’s decision has prompted wide discussion in France and abroad, with analysts noting that Sarkozy’s political influence remains substantial even as legal troubles intensify. His next appeal hearing is expected later this spring.