In brief
Nicolas Sarkozy, the former president of France, has been released from prison after three weeks of a five-year term for conspiracy linked to his 2007 election financing. Under strict judicial supervision and barred from leaving France, he aims to prove his innocence ahead of his appeal trial set for next year. Sarkozy described his solitary confinement as a 'nightmare' yet expressed appreciation for the prison staff. The case marks a significant moment in French political history.
Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy has been released from jail, three weeks into a five-year prison term for taking part in a criminal conspiracy.
He will be subject to strict judicial supervision and barred from leaving France ahead of an appeal trial due to be held next year.
On 21 October, the former centre-right president was sentenced to five years for conspiring to fund his 2007 election campaign with money from late Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi.
His legal team immediately filed a request seeking his release, which was granted by the court.
Writing on social media after the release, Sarkozy said his energy is focused solely on the single goal of proving my innocence. He affirmed that the truth will prevail... The end of the story is yet to be written..
Sarkozy's car was seen leaving La Santé prison in Paris just before 15:00 (14:00 GMT), and soon after, he arrived at his home in western Paris.
Christophe Ingrain, one of Sarkozy's lawyers, hailed the release as a step forward and noted that they would be preparing for the appeal trial expected in March.
One condition of Sarkozy's release is he does not contact any other witnesses in the so-called Libyan dossier or any justice ministry employees.
During his time in prison, Sarkozy described his solitary confinement as gruelling and a nightmare and insisted he never sought money from Gaddafi.
His release makes Sarkozy the first French ex-leader imprisoned since World War II. With a history of legal troubles since leaving office, Sarkozy remains a prominent figure in French politics.
