November 10, 2025 07:58 PM IST
First published on: Nov 10, 2025 at 07:45 PM IST
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Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy leaves his home Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025 in Paris as he heads to prison to serve time for a criminal conspiracy to finance his 2007 election campaign with funds from Libya. (AP Photo)
A Paris court has ordered the release of former French President Nicolas Sarkozy from the prison while he appeals his conviction for conspiring to raise campaign funds from Libya, Reuters reported on Monday.
Case against Nicolas Sarkozy
Sarkozy, 70, served as France’s president from 2007 to 2012. He was jailed on 21 October after being sentenced to five years in prison, following a court ruling in September that found him guilty of criminal conspiracy. The case centred on allegations that his aides sought financial support for his 2007 campaign from the late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.
He was cleared of other charges, including corruption and receiving illegal campaign donations.
Court decision and conditions
The court agreed to free Sarkozy under judicial supervision while he appeals. According to French broadcaster BFM TV, the conditions include a ban on leaving France and on contacting other accused individuals or witnesses in the case.
Police officers stand by the Sante prison as former French President Nicolas Sarkozy is set to be released from prison and placed under judicial supervision, Monday, Nov. 10, 2025 in Paris. (AP Photo)
Prosecutors had recommended his release, saying he did not pose a flight risk but should remain under strict supervision.
Judge Nathalie Gavarino said his sentence had been enforced swiftly because of the “extraordinary seriousness” of the offence. Sarkozy had been held at La Santé prison in Paris since last month.
Sarkozy’s response
Sarkozy did not attend Monday’s hearing in person but appeared via video link from prison. He told the court he would follow any orders given by the judiciary if he were released.
“I’m French, sir. I love my country. I’m fighting for the truth to prevail. I will comply with all the obligations imposed on me, as I always have,” Sarkozy said, according to Reuters.
Speaking about his time in prison, he added, “It’s tough. Really tough as it must be for any detainee. I’d even say it’s draining.”
Ongoing legal cases
Sarkozy has faced several legal challenges since leaving office.
Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s wife Carla Bruni-Sarkozy leaves a Paris court before it decides whether to release Sarkozy from prison, less than three weeks after he began serving a five-year sentence for criminal conspiracy in a scheme to finance his 2007 election campaign with funds from Libya, Monday, Nov. 10, 2025 in Paris. (AP Photo)
Last year, France’s highest court upheld his conviction for corruption and influence peddling, requiring him to wear an electronic tag for a year the first such order for a former French president. That tag has since been removed.
He was also found guilty in a separate case of illegal campaign financing for his 2012 re-election campaign. A final ruling from the country’s top court on that matter is expected later this month.
Sarkozy is also under formal investigation for allegedly helping to tamper with a witness in another ongoing case.
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Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy leaves his home Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025 in Paris as he heads to prison to serve time for a criminal conspiracy to finance his 2007 election campaign with funds from Libya. (AP Photo) 
