Overview
- The Court of Appeal is set to hear the release request at 9:30 a.m. Monday, with a decision possible the same day and a videoconference appearance by Nicolas Sarkozy optional.
- Unlike the trial court, appeal judges cannot rely on public-order concerns and must find detention is the sole means to prevent flight, reoffending, collusion or pressure, evidence tampering, or to protect the defendant.
- Sarkozy has been held at La Santé since October 21 after a five-year sentence with immediate committal, and his appeal restores the presumption of innocence ahead of a full rehearing expected in March 2026.
- His lawyers argue there is no risk of flight, reoffending, or interference with evidence and point to past compliance, while potential release conditions include judicial supervision and residence with an electronic bracelet.
- In recent related rulings, the appeals chamber freed Wahib Nacer under supervision but kept Alexandre Djouhri in custody, offering a guide to how risk assessments are being applied in the same case.