Sarkozy described his 20-day imprisonment as “gruelling” and a “nightmare.”
Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy was released from La Santé prison in Paris on Monday after serving 20 days of a five-year sentence for alleged Libyan funding of his 2007 campaign, according to AFP. His release followed a Paris Court of Appeal hearing that morning, where prosecutors supported his request for release pending trial.
“It’s hard, very hard, certainly for any prisoner. I would even say it’s gruelling,” Sarkozy said via video call from jail, describing the experience as a “nightmare.”
The 70-year-old politician, who maintains his innocence, left the prison shortly before 3 p.m. in a police-escorted car.
Prosecutor Damien Brunet said the release was justified “under judicial supervision.” Sarkozy was barred from leaving France and contacting Libyan or senior judicial officials.
His lawyer Christophe Ingrain called the ruling “a step forward.” Sarkozy remains a dominant figure in France’s conservative politics despite ongoing legal troubles.