Nicolas Sarkozy has been released from prison after 20 days, vowing to prove his innocence and appeal against a conviction for criminal conspiracy over a scheme to obtain campaign funds from Libya. The former French president was driven away from La Santé prison in Paris on Monday, accompanied by his wife, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy.
Under the terms of his release, the 70-year-old is forbidden from contacting justice ministry officials, including justice minister Gérald Darmanin, who visited him in prison last month. He must also avoid contact with others involved in the case and is banned from leaving France. A Paris appeal court granted the release pending his appeal, with a fresh trial expected next spring.
Sarkozy described his imprisonment as a 'nightmare' and 'gruelling', telling the court via video link: 'I never had any idea or intention to ask Mr Gaddafi for any kind of financing ... I will never confess to something I didn't do.' He was held in solitary confinement in a 9 sq metre cell, where he reportedly ate only yoghurts fearing other food might have been contaminated. His lawyer said Sarkozy faced death threats during his detention.
Sarkozy became the first former leader of an EU country to serve time in prison, and the first French postwar head of state to be incarcerated. He was convicted of criminal conspiracy for allegedly seeking election funding from the regime of former Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi for his 2007 presidential campaign. He denies all wrongdoing.
During his trial, the public prosecutor accused him of a 'Faustian pact of corruption' with Gaddafi. However, Sarkozy was acquitted of three separate charges including corruption and misuse of Libyan public funds. The state prosecutor has appealed against that acquittal.
