France's Sarkozy back home after court frees him pending appeal

Описание: Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy will walk free from prison today after a Parisian court ruled that he should be released just three weeks into a five-year jail term.

The 70-year-old, who led France between 2017 and 2012, will be released subject to judicial supervision, the court ruled. He could be required to wear an electronic tag while living at home with wife Carla Bruni. He may also have to provide bail money and check in regularly with the authorities as part of the arrangement.

In September, Sarkozy was found guilty of criminal conspiracyover the efforts of aides to find funding for his 2007 presidential bid from late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. He was acquitted of all other charges, including corruption and receiving illegal campaign funding.

He was sent to the notorious La Sante prison in Paris on 21 October, where he was mocked by other prisoners, and his lawyers immediately pleaded for his release.

Interviewed from prison via videolink on Monday, Sarkozy said prison was “very hard” and “exhausting” for him. He has consistently denied wrongdoing and has called himself a victim of revenge and hatred.

Watch more on Independent TV: https://tinyurl.com/yc7ukx9n

The Independent is the world’s most free-thinking newsbrand, providing global news, commentary and analysis for the independently-minded.

Nicolas Sarkozy embraces wife as he leaves to start prison sentence

Subscribe: https://bit.ly/Subscribe-to-Independent

Find us on social:
TikTok /   / independent  
Instagram /   / the.independent  
X (Twitter) /   / independent  
Facebook /   / theindependentonline  

Download the iOS & Android app: https://tinyurl.com/2s3ts5dh
Sign up to our newsletters: https://tinyurl.com/2bmw565x

Help to support truly independent journalism. Every dollar you contribute will directly fund additional special reports and investigations from a free-thinking, award-winning newsroom you can trust: https://www.independent.co.uk/donations