Former French President Sarkozy released from prison after 3 weeks

Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy has been released from prison, just three weeks into a five-year sentence for criminal conspiracy related to his 2007 election campaign.

Sarkozy, 70, was sentenced on October 21 for allegedly accepting funds from late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi to finance his campaign. He will now remain under strict judicial supervision and is barred from leaving France ahead of an appeal trial scheduled for March 2026.

A court granted Sarkozy early release following a request from his legal team. Speaking on social media after leaving La Santé prison in Paris, Sarkozy said his “energy is focused solely on the single goal of proving my innocence” and added: “The truth will prevail… The end of the story is yet to be written.”

Sarkozy described his time in solitary confinement as “gruelling” and “a nightmare,” but praised prison staff for their “exceptional humanity.” During his incarceration, he had access to a cell with basic facilities, limited daily exercise, family visits, and monitored phone and written communication.

Christina Ingrain, one of Sarkozy’s lawyers, called the release “a step forward” and confirmed the legal team would focus on preparing for the appeal.

His wife, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, and two of his sons, Jean and Pierre, were present at the court to support him.

Sarkozy is the first French ex-leader jailed since World War Two, when Philippe Pétain was imprisoned for treason in 1945. Since leaving office in 2012, Sarkozy has faced multiple criminal inquiries, including a conviction last December for attempting to bribe a magistrate.