By Peter Omopo
A French appeals court on Monday ordered the release of former President Nicolas Sarkozy from prison, pending the outcome of his appeal against a conviction for alleged illegal campaign funding from late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.
The 70-year-old ex-leader, who served as France’s president from 2007 to 2012, had spent 20 days in detention at La Santé Prison in Paris, after a lower court in September sentenced him to five years in prison for criminal conspiracy linked to his 2007 campaign.
Sarkozy, appearing via video link during the hearing, described his imprisonment as “gruelling” and thanked the prison staff for their “exceptional humanity.”
“It’s hard — very hard — certainly for any prisoner. I would even say it’s gruelling,” he said. “This nightmare, because it is a nightmare, was only bearable thanks to their kindness.”
Prosecutors supported Sarkozy’s bid for release, saying judicial supervision could mitigate risks of witness tampering or collusion. “The risks of collusion and pressure on witnesses justify the request for release under judicial supervision,” Prosecutor Damien Brunet told the court.
Sarkozy’s wife, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, and two of his sons were present in court to show support.
The former president was expected to leave prison later on Monday, while the appeal hearing is scheduled for March 2026.
In September, the trial court had ordered Sarkozy’s immediate incarceration, citing the “exceptional gravity” of the charges, even as he filed an appeal. However, with the appeal now pending, he regains the presumption of innocence, prompting the court to reconsider his detention status.
Under French law, detention before an appeal is only justified if it is the sole means of preventing witness interference, protecting evidence, or ensuring the accused does not flee or reoffend.
During his confinement, Sarkozy was held separately from other inmates, with two bodyguards in an adjoining cell to ensure his safety — a move criticised by prison unions as “an insult” to their profession. The French Interior Minister, Laurent Nuñez, defended the arrangement as necessary given the former president’s “status” and the “threats” against him.
Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin had also visited Sarkozy in prison, drawing criticism from senior judicial figures who said the visit could compromise judicial independence.
Sarkozy is the first French head of state to be jailed since Philippe Pétain, the World War II collaborationist leader imprisoned after 1945.
He has faced a string of legal challenges since leaving office. He was previously convicted of corruption in a separate case and served a sentence under house arrest with an electronic tag. France’s top court is also expected to rule later this month on another case involving alleged illegal financing of his 2012 re-election campaign.
In the ongoing Libyan funding case, prosecutors allege that Sarkozy’s aides brokered a secret deal in 2005 to secure millions of euros from Gaddafi to bankroll his 2007 campaign, in exchange for French support to rehabilitate Libya’s international image.
While the court convicted Sarkozy of criminal conspiracy, it found no evidence that he personally handled or spent the funds.
Outside the court, his supporters expressed relief at his release, while his legal team reiterated his innocence and confidence that the appeal court would overturn the conviction.
