‘It’s hard’: Ex-French President Sarkozy cries out as he requests early release from jail

Former French President, Nicolas Sarkozy’s request to be released from jail pending appeal was heard by a Paris court on Monday, less than three weeks after the ex-head of state began serving a five-year prison sentence.

The sentence followed Sarkozy’s conviction for conspiring to secure campaign funds from former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.

Although French prosecutors requested his release, they insisted that it should be under strict judicial supervision.

The 70-year-old former president was found guilty on September 25 of criminal conspiracy linked to the illicit financing of his 2007 presidential campaign.

Although Sarkozy was acquitted of other charges, including corruption and illegal campaign financing. The court ordered his immediate imprisonment, citing the “extraordinary seriousness” of the offence.

Judge Nathalie Gavarino noted that the conviction marked a historic precedent, as Sarkozy became the first former French president in modern times to be sent to prison. He began serving his sentence on October 21 but swiftly filed for early release.

Prosecutor Damien Brunet told the court that while Sarkozy’s release could be considered, it should be under strict judicial supervision to prevent possible collusion or witness tampering.

Under French law, pre-appeal detention is rare, and judges will assess whether Sarkozy poses a flight risk or could obstruct justice. If approved, he may leave Paris’ La Santé prison within hours.

Appearing before the court via videolink, Sarkozy described his three weeks in prison as “gruelling,” admitting that the experience had been extremely difficult.

“It’s hard, very hard certainly for any prisoner. I would even say it’s gruelling,” he said.

The former French President, who led the country from 2007 to 2012, has continued to deny any wrongdoing, insisting he is the victim of a “plot” tied to the late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.

If granted release with a decision expected later today, Sarkozy may be placed under judicial supervision, which could include wearing an electronic tag, posting bail, or reporting regularly to authorities.

This is not his first brush with strict legal measures. In 2023, France’s highest court upheld a separate conviction for corruption and influence peddling, requiring him to wear an electronic tag for a year, a sanction that has since been lifted.

Sarkozy also faces an ongoing probe for alleged witness tampering in the Libya case, while a final ruling is expected soon from France’s top court on another conviction related to illegal campaign financing during his failed 2012 re-election bid.