The Paris Court of Appeal ruled on the 10th to support former President Sarkozy's request for release. Sarkozy was released that day and is awaiting an appeal hearing.
According to local media reports, the appeal hearing is expected to open in March next year.
At the hearing held that morning via video, Sarkozy stated that life in prison was a "nightmare," thanked prison staff, and reiterated that he was "innocent."
After his release, Sarkozy will continue to be subject to certain judicial restrictions, including a ban on leaving the country and meeting specific individuals related to the case.
On September 25, Sarkozy was sentenced in the first instance to five years in prison for allegedly illegally accepting campaign funding from former Libyan leader Gaddafi. The court ruled that although there was insufficient evidence to show Sarkozy actually received bribes, he committed "conspiracy" by "allowing his confidants and political supporters to seek financial support from the Libyan government during the 2007 presidential campaign."
Although Sarkozy appealed, the first-instance court ruled, in accordance with relevant laws, that his prison sentence be "temporarily enforced," not affected by the appeal. Sarkozy began serving his sentence on October 21, becoming the first former head of state of an EU country to be imprisoned.
Sarkozy served as French president from 2007 to 2012.