In a dramatic legal development, a Paris court has ordered the immediate release of former French President Nicolas Sarkozy from prison after he served less than three weeks of his five-year sentence. The 70-year-old political leader was granted freedom on Monday, November 10, 2025, though he will remain under strict judicial supervision.
Court Decision and Judicial Conditions
The Paris court delivered its ruling while placing significant restrictions on Sarkozy's movements and activities. The former president has been banned from leaving French territory as part of his judicial supervision terms. This decision comes just weeks after Sarkozy began serving his prison term on October 21, 2025, for criminal conspiracy related to illegal campaign financing.
Sarkozy appeared before the court via video conference from Paris' La Santé prison, where he emotionally described his prison experience. "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," the former leader told the court.
Background of the Case
The case centers around allegations that Sarkozy participated in a scheme to finance his successful 2007 presidential campaign using funds from Libya. Prosecutors argued that the former French leader conspired to accept financial support from the government of longtime Libyan ruler Muammar Qaddafi.
Sarkozy maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings, stating emphatically during the hearing: "I will never admit something I didn't do. I never asked Libya's longtime ruler Muammar Qaddafi for any financing."
The former president served as France's leader from May 16, 2007, to May 15, 2012. His imprisonment marked a significant moment in French political history, making him the first former president since World War Two to begin a jail term.
Family Support and Next Legal Steps
Sarkozy's family stood by him during the legal proceedings. His wife, supermodel-turned-singer Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, along with two of his sons, attended the hearing at the Paris courthouse. The former president also expressed gratitude toward prison staff, acknowledging their support during what he described as a "nightmare" experience.
Legal experts note that an appeal trial is expected to take place later, possibly in the spring of 2026. Sarkozy's legal team immediately filed for early release after his initial imprisonment, setting the stage for Monday's court decision.
During his brief incarceration, Sarkozy served time in isolation, occupying a small cell equipped with basic amenities and allowed just one hour of exercise daily. The conditions reflected the seriousness of the charges and his former status as head of state.
This case represents another chapter in Sarkozy's ongoing legal battles. In a previous ruling, French appeals court upheld a prison sentence of three years, including two suspended, against the former president for corruption and influence peddling. That separate case involved his attempts to secure favors from a judge, uncovered through wiretapping.
As Sarkozy transitions from prison to judicial supervision, the political and legal communities in France and across Europe will be watching closely to see how this high-profile case develops during the upcoming appeal process.
