Disgraced Former French President Sarkozy Freed From Prison Pending Appeal

by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Europe Bureau Chief

PARIS (Worthy News) – Disgraced former French President Nicolas Sarkozy says he will prove his innocence after a court agreed to temporarily release him from the prison where he began serving a five-year sentence on October 21, 2025, following a conviction for “criminal conspiracy” linked to alleged Libyan campaign funding.

He was freed Monday from Paris’s La Santé Prison and placed under strict judicial supervision pending his appeal.

The Paris appeals court ruled that Sarkozy, 70, did not pose a flight risk and could await his appeal outside prison, provided he respects several restrictions.

He is banned from leaving France and forbidden from contacting Justice Ministry officials or others involved in the case, officials confirmed.

Appearing via video link during the hearing, Sarkozy described his brief time in detention as “a nightmare” and “very hard.”

“The law has been applied. I will now prepare for an appeal. My energy is focused solely on proving my innocence. The truth will prevail,” he told reporters after his release.

LIBYA CASE BACKGROUND

Sarkozy was convicted on September 25, 2025, of criminal conspiracy in connection with an alleged scheme to obtain millions of euros in illegal campaign funds from the late Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi for his successful 2007 presidential campaign.

The former leader received a five-year sentence, including two years without parole, a 100,000 euros (about $108,000) fine, and a five-year ban from public office.

He has consistently denied the charges, calling them politically motivated and insisting there is “no material proof” linking him to the alleged Libyan funds.

The trial — one of France’s most high-profile corruption cases in decades — included testimony from former ministers, security officials, and intermediaries who claimed that cash-filled briefcases containing millions of euros (worth several million U.S. dollars) were delivered from Tripoli to Paris in 2006 and 2007.

REACTIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Reactions in France have been mixed.

Supporters within the conservative Les Républicains party welcomed his temporary release, calling the case “judicial overreach.”

But anti-corruption groups said the appeal ruling does not erase the seriousness of the conviction.

“France must show that no one is above the law — not even a former president,” said watchdog Transparency International France in a statement following the ruling.

Sarkozy’s appeal trial is expected to begin in March 2026, when the Paris Court of Appeal will reexamine the evidence and decide whether to uphold or overturn his conviction.

Legal experts say the process could take months and might still reach France’s highest court. While free pending appeal, Sarkozy remains under judicial watch and faces additional cases involving alleged influence-peddling and campaign finance violations.

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