AP: France's ex-president may be released soon

The Paris court will review the request for the release of former French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Monday, just 20 days after his imprisonment, reports Associated Press.

Sarkozy was sentenced to five years in prison for criminal conspiracy to finance his victorious 2007 campaign with funds from Libya.

The 70-year-old former president became the first in modern France to receive a real prison sentence. He had previously been convicted of corruption, but at that time was allowed to remain free under electronic monitoring.

Sarkozy’s lawyers have filed an appeal against the sentence and requested early release. The appellate process is scheduled for next spring.

On November 12, the Paris court will consider his request, and a decision is expected the same day. Sarkozy, who served as president from 2007 to 2012, continues to maintain his innocence and disputes both the conviction and the decision to imprison him pending the appeal.

Since his conviction on September 25, the sentence took effect immediately, but Sarkozy was only taken into custody on October 21, after which his lawyers submitted the early release request.

The court’s decision will be based on Article 144 of the French Penal Code, which states that release should be the norm before an appeal, while detention is the exception. Grounds for imprisonment can include danger to society, flight risk, or threat to evidence and witnesses.

During the hearing, Sarkozy is expected to provide guarantees for compliance with conditional release conditions. If accepted, he will be placed under judicial supervision and could be released from La Santé Prison in Paris within a few hours.

By Khagan Isayev