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Paris Appeals Court Frees Nicolas Sarkozy From Prison Pending Appeal

The panel ordered judicial supervision in line with French rules that favor provisional release during appeals.

Overview

  • Sarkozy left La Santé prison less than three weeks into a five-year sentence for criminal conspiracy tied to alleged Libyan funding of his 2007 campaign.
  • Under the order, he is barred from leaving France and from contacting co-defendants and witnesses, with a specific prohibition on contact with Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin.
  • Prosecutor Damien Brunet backed release under judicial supervision, citing risks better managed through controls than continued detention.
  • The September ruling found he allowed intermediaries to seek Libyan support, while judges said there was no evidence any Libyan money was used in the 2007 campaign.
  • An appeals retrial is expected in the spring, and he still faces a November 26 Court of Cassation ruling over his 2012 campaign financing case and other ongoing inquiries.