Overview
- Sarkozy left La Santé prison after roughly 20 days once judges ordered his release under supervision that bars him from leaving France and from contacting co-defendants and witnesses.
- Restrictions include a rare prohibition on contact with Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin, alongside bans covering figures tied to the Libya financing case, according to court statements reported by multiple outlets.
- Prosecutors supported freeing the former president pending appeal, citing his record of complying with judicial procedures and arguing supervision could mitigate risks of collusion or pressure on witnesses.
- An appeals retrial is expected in the coming months, commonly reported for spring, after a lower court on September 25 convicted Sarkozy of criminal conspiracy linked to alleged efforts by aides to seek Libyan funding.
- Sarkozy maintains his innocence and pledged to follow all conditions; separate proceedings continue, including a November 26 Court of Cassation ruling on a 2012 financing case and an investigation into alleged witness tampering.