Nicolas Sarkozy Freed from La Santé: Paris Appeals Court Grants Release Under Judicial Supervision

Paris appeals court orders release of former president Nicolas Sarkozy

A Paris appeals court on Monday ordered the release of former French president Nicolas Sarkozy from La Santé prison and placed him under judicial supervision pending the outcome of his appeal. The court imposed a ban on leaving French territory and said an appeal trial could take place later, possibly in the spring.

The decision comes less than three weeks after the 70-year-old began serving a five-year sentence for criminal conspiracy tied to an alleged scheme to finance his 2007 presidential campaign with funds from Libya. Sarkozy denies any wrongdoing and immediately sought early release after being detained on Oct. 21 while awaiting his appeal.

Speaking by video link from La Santé during Monday's hearing, Sarkozy described his incarceration as an ordeal and thanked prison staff for their support.

“I had never imagined I would experience prison at 70. This ordeal was imposed on me, and I lived through it. It's hard, very hard,” he said.

His wife, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, and two of his sons attended the hearing at the Paris courthouse.

Judges considered whether Sarkozy posed a flight risk, might pressure witnesses, or could obstruct justice. Under French law, release pending appeal is generally the norm while detention is the exception. Advocate General Damien Brunet, representing the public interest, asked the court to free Sarkozy under judicial supervision; that request was granted and Sarkozy was expected to leave La Santé within hours.

In addition to the Libya-related conviction, Sarkozy faces separate legal matters: a Nov. 26 decision by France's highest court concerning alleged illegal financing of his failed 2012 re-election bid, and an investigation into possible witness tampering in the Libya case. In 2023 he was found guilty of corruption and influence-peddling for allegedly attempting to bribe a magistrate to obtain information about a pending investigation; France's Court of Cassation later upheld that verdict.

This ruling marks a notable moment in modern French politics: Sarkozy was the first former head of state in contemporary France to be jailed after his Sept. 25 conviction. The appeals process and related proceedings will determine whether his sentence is confirmed, reduced, or overturned.