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

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.

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Nicolas Sarkozy embraces wife as he leaves to start prison sentence

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