French Court Orders Release of Sarkozy

SadaNews - The Paris Court of Appeal ordered on Monday the release of former French President Nicolas Sarkozy after 20 days of imprisonment following his conviction in the Libyan financing case for his 2007 presidential campaign, with conditions of judicial supervision. During the hearing for the release request, the prosecution also recommended conditional release under judicial supervision for Sarkozy, who participated in the session via video link from La Santé prison in Paris. Sarkozy stated that "prison is very difficult, indeed it is harsh," adding, "I am struggling for the sovereignty of the truth," while praising the "humanity" of the prison staff who made "this nightmare bearable." Sarkozy's appearance via video link from inside the prison is a first in the history of the French Republic, as no former president has ever been imprisoned before. Prosecutor Damien Bouni made a request before the court for approval of Sarkozy's release under judicial supervision, prohibiting him from contacting witnesses or other defendants, pointing out that "the guarantees of representation he provides are unequivocal given his family ties and known interests in the country." The Paris criminal court convicted Sarkozy on September 25 of last year to 5 years in prison for conspiring to solicit illegal funding from the late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi for his election campaign, which the former president denies, asserting that he is a victim of "hatred and revenge." Sarkozy's detention has sparked widespread controversy in France, with observers describing it as an unprecedented step in the history of the European Union, while his lawyers have confirmed that the detention "has caused him great suffering despite his strength and resilience."