The judge orders the release of Nicolas Sarkozy, after twenty days of detention in La Santé prison

However, the Judiciary prohibited the former president from leaving French territory and having contact with the Minister of Justice.

He remained in prison for twenty days. The Paris Court of Appeal, Monday, November 10, ordered the release of Nicolas Sarkozy, who was jailed after he was found guilty in a trial in Libya. This places the former head of state under judicial control. During the hearing of his application Monday morning, the prosecutor’s office requested release from prison under judicial supervision of the former president, appearing via videoconference from the Health prison.

Even more so, considering that “the risk of pressure and consultation cannot be completely ruled out” at his co-defendants but especially at “a number of key witnesses”especially former officials of the Gaddafi regime who are scattered throughout the world, justice prohibits the former president from leaving French territory.

The court also sentenced Nicolas Sarkozy a “no contact” expanded, with former Libyan officials as well as senior French justice officials, most notably Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin, taking note “capacity to operate a wide range of state services” as a former president. On 29 October, Nicolas Sarkozy, 70, received a ministerial visit to Prison Health, an interview that sparked criticism, especially from judges.

“The assessment criteria of the appellate court are not the criteria of the court of first instance”warned President Olivier Géron in the preamble to the decision. Thus, Nicolas Sarkozy’s appeal places his detention within the criteria for pre-trial detention, which is different from the criteria for executing a sentence. The release of Nicolas Sarkozy is “one step”said his lawyer, Christophe Ingrain, in front of the press. “The next one is the appeal hearing and our task now, for Nicolas Sarkozy and us, is to prepare this appeal hearing” expected in March.