Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
After spending 20 days in La Santé prison, former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has been granted conditional release by the Paris Court of Appeal on Monday. Sarkozy had been imprisoned following his conviction in the Libyan funding case for his 2007 presidential campaign, and will now be under judicial supervision, according to reports from Al Arabiya/Al Hadath correspondents.
During the hearing for his release request, the public prosecutor also recommended conditional release under judicial oversight. Sarkozy participated in the session via video from La Santé prison in Paris.
The decision means Sarkozy will return home today, after having left his residence three weeks ago to begin serving a five-year sentence for conspiring to obtain campaign funds from Libya.
The Paris court reviewed Sarkozy’s request after he began serving his sentence last month, following his conviction related to efforts by his advisers and close aides to secure funding for his 2007 presidential campaign from Muammar Gaddafi. He was acquitted of all other charges, including corruption and illegal campaign financing.
Judge Nathalie Gavarino noted in court that Sarkozy’s sentence was executed immediately due to the “exceptional seriousness” of the crime.
Sarkozy, 70, has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, appealing the verdict and describing himself as a victim of revenge and animosity. He did not attend the hearing in person, with his lawyers representing him in the Court of Appeal.
If approved, the conditional release could require Sarkozy to use electronic monitoring, deposit a sum of money, or report regularly to authorities.
According to Le Figaro, unlike previous release requests in the same case which attracted little attention, Sarkozy’s application has significant political and media resonance, given his status as one of France’s most prominent public figures.
