The request of the former French president, , is being considered this morning by the Court of Appeal, less than three weeks after he began serving a five-year sentence for conspiracy as a result of the financing of his 2007 election campaign with funds from Libya.
The decision is expected at noon at around 14:30 Greek time, while during the process Sarkozy, 70 years old, said that so far his life in prison is “hard, very hard and I could say even exhausting”. The first former head of state in France’s modern history to be jailed after his conviction on September 25, he insisted he is innocent, saying he was “never going to confess to something I didn’t do”, while making it clear he would continue to fight “until the truth shines”.
Sarkozy testified in the proceedings from La Santé prison in Paris via video conference and claimed that he had always followed the orders of Justice. As he emphasized: “I never imagined that I would live in prison at the age of 70. This test was imposed on me and I passed it. It’s hard, very hard.”
Sarkozy also spoke warmly of prison guards, who he said helped him get through “this nightmare.” Sarkozy’s wife, model-turned-singer Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, and two of his sons attended the hearing at the Paris court.
Under French law, release from prison is the rule pending appeal, while detention remains the exception. Judges will consider whether Sarkozy is suspected of absconding, whether he may pressure witnesses or obstruct justice.
The Attorney General, Damien Brunet, representing the public interest, requested that Sarkozy be released and placed under judicial supervision (i.e. a wristband).
If the request is granted, Sarkozy could leave Paris’ La Santé prison within hours.
The appeal hearing is expected to take place later, possibly in the spring.
