France's Sarkozy back home after court frees him pending appeal

Bangkok Post Group

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy was freed from jail and went home on Monday (November 10), after a Paris court ruled he could be released while he appeals against his conviction for conspiring to raise funds from Libya. - REUTERS

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00:00Arriving back at his Paris home on Monday, former French President Nicolas Sarkozy was freed from

00:08jail after a Paris court ruled he could be released while he appeals his conviction.

00:13He was sent to prison last month after he was found guilty of criminal conspiracy over efforts

00:19by close aides to procure funds for his 2007 presidential bid from late Libyan leader Muammar

00:26Gaddafi. Sarkozy's five-year prison sentence had been enforced swiftly because of what

00:33judges in September called the extraordinary seriousness of the crime. He was incarcerated

00:40at La Sate prison in Paris, a stunning downfall for a former president. But on Monday the

00:46public prosecutor recommended Sarkozy be freed pending his appeal of the guilty verdict.

00:52The court said he did not represent a flight risk and therefore did not have to remain

00:57in prison. His release was based on specific criteria and is no indication of whether his

01:02appeal is likely to succeed. The court agreed to release him under judicial supervision.

01:07He cannot leave France and cannot talk to any justice ministry official.

01:12The former conservative leader, who was president from 2007 to 2012, has consistently denied wrongdoing,

01:19calling himself a victim of revenge and hatred. He told the court from prison he would respect

01:24any demand from the judiciary if he was freed.

01:28Speaking of being in jail, he added, quote,

01:31It's tough, really tough, as it must be for any detainee. I'd even say it's draining.

01:36Sarkozy has faced several other legal battles since leaving office.

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