A Paris appeals court has ruled that former French President Nicolas Sarkozy be released from prison and placed under judicial supervision.
In less than three weeks after Sarkozy began serving a five-year sentence over a scheme to finance his 2007 election campaign with funds from Libya, the judge ruled that he could serve the rest of his sentence at home. Sarkozy, 70, was expected to leave Paris’ La Santé prison within hours.
The Paris appeal court granted Sarkozy’s request for release to serve his sentence at home with strict judicial controls. Under the terms of his release, Sarkozy will be forbidden from talking to any officials from the justice ministry.
He will be banned from leaving the French territory and from being in touch with key people including co-defendants and witnesses in the case.
In a rare decision, the court specifically banned Sarkozy from being in touch with Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin. Darmanin, a former conservative who once considered Sarkozy as his mentor before rejoining President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist party in 2017, paid a visit to Sarkozy in prison last month. Some French magistrates criticized the move as undermining the independence of judges.
An appeals trial is expected to take place later, possibly in the spring.
Sarkozy became the first former French head of state in modern times to be sent behind bars after his conviction on September 25, 2025. He denies wrongdoing. He was jailed on October 21, 2025, pending appeal but immediately filed for early release.
During today’s hearing, Sarkozy, speaking from prison via video conference, argued that he has always met all justice requirements.
“I had never imagined I would experience prison at 70. This ordeal was imposed on me, and I lived through it. It’s hard, very hard.”
Nicolas Sarkozy
Sarkozy also paid tribute to prison staff “who are exceptionally humane, and who have made this nightmare bearable – because it is a nightmare.”
Sarkozy has been held in solitary confinement for his own security, in an individual cell of about 9 sq metres with his own shower and toilet. Two bodyguards are occupying a neighbouring cell to ensure his safety.
The French news weekly Le Point reported that he had been eating only yoghurts in prison as he feared any food might have been spat on. Citing unnamed sources, the magazine reported that Sarkozy had facilities to cook for himself but refused this.
Sarkozy’s wife, supermodel-turned-singer Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, and two of his sons, attended the hearing at the Paris courthouse. Monday’s proceedings did not involve the motives for the sentencing. Nonetheless, Sarkozy told the court that he never asked Libya’s longtime ruler Moammar Gadhafi for any financing. “I will never admit something I didn’t do,” he said.
French law provides that release should be the general rule pending appeal, while detention should be reserved for those considered dangerous or at risk of fleeing to another country, or to protect evidence or prevent pressure on witnesses.
Sarkozy’s Lawyer Welcomes Release
In a brief statement, Sarkozy’s lawyer, Christophe Ingrain, praised “normal implementation of law” He added, “The next step is the appeal trial and our work now … is to get prepared for that.”
Sarkozy, who governed from 2007 to 2012, faces separate proceedings, including a November 26 ruling by France’s highest court over illegal financing of his failed 2012 reelection bid, and an ongoing investigation into alleged witness tampering in the Libya case.
In 2023, he was found guilty of corruption and influence peddling for trying to bribe a magistrate in exchange for information about a legal case in which he was implicated. France’s highest court, the Court of Cassation, later upheld the verdict.
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