Release Granted Under Conditions Including Travel Ban
Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who had been sentenced to prison for committing illegal acts during preparations for the 2007 presidential election, has been released.
According to BFM TV and other outlets, the Paris Court of Appeal, after questioning Sarkozy on the morning of November 10 (local time), determined that there was no risk of evidence concealment, witness tampering, or collusion, and approved his release. As a result, Sarkozy was freed after serving 20 days in detention since October 21.
However, the court decided to place Sarkozy under judicial supervision and prohibited him from leaving the country. In addition, the court issued a broad no-contact order, which includes Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin. Darmanin, who considers Sarkozy his political mentor, recently visited him in prison, an act that was criticized as inappropriate.
During the hearing, prosecutors also requested Sarkozy's release. Prosecutors argued that, given the lack of concerns about evidence destruction or possible collusion among suspects, there was no need to keep Sarkozy in custody and asked the court to grant him conditional release. Participating in the hearing via video from prison, Sarkozy maintained his innocence and appealed, saying, "I never imagined I would experience prison at the age of 70. This ordeal forced upon me is difficult."
Sarkozy's legal team welcomed the court's decision, stating, "This shows that the law is functioning properly," and added, "Our next task is to prepare for the appellate trial."
Sarkozy was released at around 3 p.m. that day and returned home. He had been sentenced to five years in prison in the first trial on charges of criminal conspiracy for allowing his associates to contact Libyan authorities to raise campaign funds ahead of the 2007 presidential election, and was detained on October 21.
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