A Paris court is set to determine whether former French President Nicolas Sarkozy, 70, will be released from prison just 20 days after his incarceration. Sarkozy, who served as president from 2007 to 2012, was sentenced to five years in prison on September 25 for criminal conspiracy related to illegal campaign financing during his 2007 presidential bid. The funds were allegedly sourced from Libya under the regime of Moammar Gadhafi. This marks the first time a former French president has been sentenced to actual prison time in modern history. Sarkozy’s legal team has appealed the conviction and filed for early release, citing Article 144 of France’s criminal code, which favors release pending appeal unless the defendant poses a flight risk or threatens evidence. The court’s decision is expected later on Monday. Sarkozy maintains his innocence, claiming the charges are part of a plot orchestrated by individuals linked to the Gadhafi regime. He also highlights that the court cleared him of three other charges and failed to establish a direct link between the Libyan funds and his campaign. Meanwhile, Sarkozy faces additional legal challenges, including a separate conviction for illegal campaign financing during his 2012 reelection bid and an ongoing investigation into alleged witness tampering in the Libya case. His wife, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, has also been implicated in the latter.
Why France’s ex-President Sarkozy may be released from prison after just 20 days
