French ex-president Sarkozy could be released from prison early
Photo: Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy (Getty Images)
Today, November 10, an appeals court in Paris will consider former French President Nicolas Sarkozy's request to be released from prison pending his appeal, Reuters reports.
The French prosecutor's office has requested the release of former President Nicolas Sarkozy, who was sentenced to five years and has been in prison for almost three weeks, but under certain conditions.
The Paris Court of Appeal has been considering a motion by Sarkozy's lawyers for his early release from prison since this morning. A decision is expected in the first half of the day.
Sarkozy, who joined the hearing via video link, said that his stay in prison had been very difficult and exhausting.
Sarkozy case
Nicolas Sarkozy became the first former president in French history to actually go to prison.
On October 21, he arrived at La Santé prison in Paris to begin serving a five-year sentence for criminal conspiracy to illegally finance his 2007 election campaign with funds from Libya.
According to the prosecution, Sarkozy allegedly agreed with Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi to provide financial support in exchange for Libya's political loyalty on the international stage.
On September 25, the Paris Criminal Court found the former president guilty of illegally financing his 2007 election campaign with funds from the Gaddafi regime.
Sarkozy, 70, who has begun serving a five-year prison sentence, has received death threats from a fellow inmate.
The former president continues to insist on his innocence and promises to fight to the end.
