A Paris court granted former French President Nicolas Sarkozy release from prison on Monday (10) pending an appeal, just weeks after he began serving a five-year sentence for conspiring to obtain campaign funds from Libya.
The 70-year-old conservative former president, after a court found him guilty in September of criminal conspiracy in connection with efforts by close aides to obtain funds from the late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi for his 2007 presidential bid.
He was acquitted of all other charges, including corruption and receiving illegal campaign financing.
Continues after advertising
Sarkozy’s prison sentence was handed down quickly due to the ‘extraordinary seriousness’ of the crime, judge Nathalie Gavarino told the court.
He was incarcerated in Paris’ La Sante prison last month — a stunning fall for a man who led France from 2007 to 2012.
But the public prosecutor recommended on Monday that Sarkozy be released pending his appeal and placed under strict judicial supervision, with a ban on contact with other accused individuals and witnesses involved in the proceedings. The prosecutor said Sarkozy did not pose a flight risk.
The court agreed to release him under judicial supervision, which would include a ban on leaving France, the report said. BFM TV.
Sarkozy has always denied any wrongdoing, saying he was a victim of revenge and hatred. He did not attend the hearing in person but was participating via video link from prison.
He told the court on Monday that he would respect any demands of the judiciary if released.
Continues after advertising
‘I’m French, sir. I love my country. I’m fighting for the truth to prevail. I will fulfill all obligations imposed on me, as I have always done’, he stated.
Speaking about being in prison, he added: ‘It’s difficult. Very difficult — as it must be for any prisoner. I would even say it is exhausting’.
