Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy is expected to be released from prison later today after serving three weeks of a five-year sentence. The 70-year-old was convicted of accepting millions in illegal cash from the late Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi to fund his successful 2007 presidential campaign.
At an appeal hearing, Sarkozy begged judges to end what he called a 'nightmare' at La Santé prison in Paris. The public prosecutor acknowledged the seriousness of the offences but noted that the Code of Criminal Procedure allowed for early release. Upon release, Sarkozy will wear an electronic tag and live at his £5 million home with his wife, former supermodel Carla Bruni, and their 14-year-old daughter.
Sarkozy told the court: 'It's hard, it's very hard. I want everyone to be convinced of one thing – I never had the crazy idea of asking Mr Gaddafi for any funding whatsoever. I will never confess to something I didn't do.' He described himself as a model prisoner and said he should be released for good behaviour, adding that he had 'scrupulously responded to all summonses'.
Sarkozy is the first French head of state to be jailed since the Second World War. He faces two other convictions and further criminal inquiries. Meanwhile, his wife Carla Bruni has been charged with corruption offences, including witness tampering, and could face up to 10 years in prison if found guilty in a separate trial.
