France: former president Nicolas Sarkozy released from prison after 21 days in custody
Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy was released this Monday, 10 November 2025, after three weeks spent at the prison de la Santé in Paris. The Paris Court of Appeal granted his request for release while placing him under judicial supervision, as part of his appeal trial over the alleged covert financing of his 2007 presidential campaign.
SUMMARY
A new twist in the case of the alleged Libyan financing of the 2007 presidential campaign. The former head of state, Nicolas Sarkozy, 70, regained his freedom this Monday after twenty-one days in detention. The Paris Court of Appeal ordered his release under judicial supervision. The ruling was in line with the general prosecutor’s requests.
Imprisoned since 21 October 2025 at the prison de la Santé, the former president was serving the start of a five-year sentence, including two years of unconditional imprisonment, handed down in first instance for “criminal conspiracy” in the context of the alleged Libyan financing of his 2007 campaign. His lawyers immediately appealed, denouncing a detention they called “unjust” and “disproportionate.”
Strict judicial supervision pending his trial
At the videoconference hearing on Monday morning, Nicolas Sarkozy appeared visibly worn. “It’s very hard, exhausting, a nightmare,” he said. He reiterated his innocence and insists he “never had the crazy idea of asking Mouammar Kadhafi for any funding whatsoever.”
The Court of Appeal found that his continued detention was no longer justified, but ordered placement under strict judicial supervision. According to the general prosecutor’s office, this measure aims to prevent any risk of fraudulent collusion or pressure on witnesses. The former president will therefore remain under the supervision of the justice system until the opening of his appeal trial, scheduled for March 2026.
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