Sarkozy Freed After Weeks in Prison; Vows to Fight Conspiracy Conviction

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy is released from prison after serving just 20 days of his five-year sentence, marking a significant moment in his legal battles.

Sarkozy Freed After Weeks in Prison; Vows to Fight Conspiracy Conviction

By Paul V. Young – TheNationWeek.Com | November 12, 2025

PARIS – Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy walked free from La Santé prison on Monday, November 10, 2025, after serving three weeks of a five-year sentence for criminal conspiracy, immediately vowing to clear his name in the ongoing legal battle.

The 70-year-old returned to his Paris home shortly after a court approved his release pending appeal.

Sarkozy was convicted on Oct. 21 for allegedly conspiring to illegally finance his successful 2007 presidential campaign with funds from the late Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi.

His legal team swiftly appealed the verdict and secured his release.

“The truth will prevail… The end of the story is yet to be written,” Sarkozy declared in a social media statement, signaling his determination to overturn the conviction.

His release was confirmed by his lawyer, Christophe Ingrain, who described it as “a step forward” as the defense team prepares for the appeal trial scheduled for March next year.

As a condition of his release, Sarkozy is barred from contacting witnesses in the so-called “Libyan dossier” and employees of the Justice Ministry.

The case has been fraught with controversy, including a complaint filed by 30 French lawyers over a visit to Sarkozy by Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin, citing a potential conflict of interest stemming from their prior relationship.

In a video link appearance before the court, Sarkozy described his solitary confinement as a “gruelling” and “nightmare” experience.

He vehemently denied soliciting financial assistance from Gaddafi and vowed not to confess to crimes he did not commit.

He did, however, acknowledge the “exceptional humanity” of the prison staff.

Sarkozy’s wife, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, and two of his sons, Jean and Pierre, were present in court to offer their support.

Sarkozy’s detention marked a historic moment, making him the first former French president to be imprisoned since Philippe Pétain, who was convicted of treason after World War II.

While jailed, Sarkozy was held in a solitary cell equipped with basic amenities, including a shower, desk, and television (at his own expense).

He had limited access to family visits and outside information and was granted only one hour of solitary exercise per day in a segregated courtyard.

Given his high profile, Sarkozy was under constant surveillance, with two bodyguards housed in nearby cells.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez acknowledged the “obvious threat against him.”

Sarkozy, who served as president from 2007 to 2012, has faced a series of legal challenges since leaving office, including a previous conviction last December for attempted bribery of a magistrate in an unrelated case.

The ongoing legal battles threaten to tarnish his legacy and continue to captivate the French public.