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Paris Court Frees Sarkozy Under Supervision, Bans Contact With Justice Minister

An appeal scheduled for March 2026 will reexamine the case after a lower court convicted him only of criminal association.

Overview

  • The Paris Court of Appeal ordered Nicolas Sarkozy’s release after roughly three weeks in La Santé, ruling that continued detention was not justified by risks of tampering, pressure or collusion.
  • He remains under judicial supervision with a ban on leaving France and on contacting Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin, a measure justified by his ability to mobilize state services; Darmanin visited him in prison on October 29.
  • The case concerns alleged Libyan financing of the 2007 campaign, with a first‑instance verdict on September 25 imposing five years for criminal association and acquitting him of corruption and illegal financing for lack of proof of fund transfers.
  • Sarkozy has appealed and regains the presumption of innocence, with the appellate trial set for March 2026.
  • A separate Bygmalion case is due for a Court of Cassation decision on November 26, which could affect his legal situation.