Life in prison “is very difficult”. 20 days after being arrested, Sarkozy will be released

Former French President spoke this Monday about life in prison, where he had been for less than a month.

This Monday, the Paris Court of Appeal ordered the release of former French President Nicolas Sarkozy, arrested 20 days ago after being sentenced to five years in prison.

The former French president, who had been serving his sentence in Paris for around 20 days, appeared this Monday via videoconference from La Santé prison, accompanied by his two lawyers, who defended his immediate release, arguing that there is no legal basis for his detention before the case becomes final.

In the gallery reserved for the public, his wife, Carla Bruni, and two of his children, Pierre and Jean, were present. Heard this Monday, Sarkozy argued that life in prison is “very difficult” and insisted that he is innocent. He also thanked prison staff for helping him endure his time in prison, according to BFM TV.

The Paris Court of Appeal announces the decision based on Article 144 of the French Penal Code, which states that probation should be the general rule while the appeal is pending, with preventive detention being the exception — for example, for those considered dangerous or at risk of fleeing to another country, or to protect evidence or avoid pressure on witnesses.

Since the court accepted the defense’s request, Sarkozy, 70, will go freeafter being convicted on September 25th and arrested on November 21 for alleged involvement in the illegal financing of the 2007 election campaign. He had already been convicted of corruption, but was forced to wear an electronic bracelet instead of serving a prison sentence, which is unprecedented for a former French president.

The former head of state denies the accusations and claims to be a victim of “hatred” and a “political campaign”.

Sarkozy’s legal team is appealing his conviction and has also submitted a request for parole. The appeal is expected to be heard at a later date, possibly in the spring, according to .

Sarkozy would be occupying a solitary cell in “that VIP” of La Santé prison, reserved for prisoners who would be in exceptional danger if placed among the rest of the prisoners. It will have a bathroom, a shower, a desk, a small electric stove and a small TV, according to the BBC.