Sarkozy detained: Public prosecutor demands release

The French Prosecutor General’s Office has called for the conditional release of former President Nicolas Sarkozy, who has been jailed for nearly three weeks. The Paris Court of Appeal is currently hearing a request by Sarkozy’s lawyers for him to be released early from prison.

A decision is expected to be made in the afternoon. His stay in prison was “very difficult” and “exhausting,” said Sarkozy, who was connected to the courtroom by video. This is the first time the imprisoned former president has commented publicly on his imprisonment. The prosecutor’s office supported his release “with conditions.” It is conceivable that Sarkozy’s prison sentence would be commuted by wearing an electronic ankle bracelet and he could be out of prison the same day.

How has his experience been behind bars so far? And what could happen next? Questions and answers on Sarkozy’s beliefs.

In the case surrounding alleged illegal financial assistance from Libya for the 2007 presidential election campaign, a Paris court sentenced Sarkozy to five years in prison for his membership in a criminal organization. The court assumed that the former French President and those close to him had tried to obtain funds from Libya’s then ruler, Muammar Gaddafi.

The court issued an arrest warrant and ordered the sentence to be carried out temporarily. Sarkozy appealed and denied the accusations.

Because Sarkozy is contesting the decision, he is not considered a criminal convict, but only a suspect. He remains in custody due to an arrest warrant with temporary execution. Once he is detained, his lawyers can apply to have Sarkozy temporarily released from prison.

Experts believe it is likely that Sarkozy will soon be able to leave his cell. This is because different legal bases apply to arrest warrants with temporary execution and release from detention.

The court based its decision on the seriousness of the offense and the disturbance to public order. The severity of the crime is not a reason to detain someone. Rather, this question is about the risk of flight, the risk of suspects colluding with each other, committing the crime again, destroying evidence, exerting pressure on witnesses or victims, or not appearing in court.

Since the investigation into Sarkozy has been completed and the former head of state has consistently appeared in court, his chances of leaving La Santé prison soon are not bad.

The 70-year-old man was placed in an isolated and specially protected area of ​​the prison, which prevents contact with other prisoners. Two armed police officers were stationed in a neighboring cell to protect him.

Sarkozy remains in his cell most of the time, broadcaster Europe 1 reported. He spends up to seven hours a day writing a book he wants to write about his time in prison. He exercises for an hour a day, but he can’t do his usual morning jog in prison.

As a former president, Sarkozy previously had a cook who was paid by the state. So much luxury behind bars has come to an end. There is institutional food for Sarkozy’s prisoners.

Otherwise, he could buy more food at the prison store. According to Paris Match, Sarkozy ordered canned tuna in oil and yogurt to spice up the prison menu. As reported by broadcaster RTL, his wife Carla Bruni also brought him sandwiches to prison.