The former French president still faces several court-imposed obligations as his appeal continues.
PARIS — Nicolas Sarkozy was allowed to walk out of prison Monday after an appeals court approved the former French leader’s request for release.
Sarkozy had been incarcerated at La Santé Prison in Paris since Oct. 21, days after he was found guilty of allowing “close collaborators” and “unofficial intermediaries” to try to obtain funding from Moammar Gadhafi’s regime in Libya for his 2007 presidential run.
Sarkozy appealed the verdict and continues to deny any wrongdoing.
The former president, who served one term from 2007 to 2012, had been expected to avoid prison time with his appeal — but the presiding judge in the lower-level court ruled that the seriousness of the charges warranted the 70-year-old serve his five year sentence behind bars as soon as possible.
Prosecutors paved the way for Sarkozy’s release by backing the request earlier Monday, citing his track record of appearing in court and cooperating with police investigations.
Later in the day, multiple French television camera crews captured what appeared to be the former president’s vehicle leaving prison and entering Sarkozy’s residence in western Paris.
The court ordered Sarkozy not to contact any of the other individuals involved in the trial, as well as a series of people linked with the case, including Gaddafi’s son Saif. Sarkozy is also barred from speaking with Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin and members of his team.
Darmanin, who previously worked as Sarkozy’s spokesperson, raised eyebrows by visiting the former head of state in prison.
Sarkozy is also barred from leaving France.
The former leader appeared at Monday’s court hearing via video, wearing the same blue blazer and suit vest he had on the day he entered prison. He described his three weeks behind bars as a “nightmare” and a “grueling” experience.
His lawyer Christophe Ingrain, accompanied by Sarkozy’s wife Carla Bruni and two eldest sons Pierre and Jean, described the hardships faced by the former president, among them death threats and being woken up at night by “screams.”
Sarkozy said he would not attempt to leave the country or evade his retrial, which his lawyer said is expected to take place in March.
“Fleeing justice would mean admitting [guilt],” he said. “I’ll never admit what I have not done.”