Paris (France), 10 Nov. (LaPresse) – The Paris Court of Appeal will decide today whether to release former French President Nicolas Sarkozy, less than three weeks before he is due to begin a five-year prison sentence for criminal conspiracy to finance his 2007 election campaign with funds from Libya. Following his conviction on 25 September, Sarkozy, 70, became the first former French head of state in the modern era to end up behind bars. He was imprisoned on 21 October pending appeal, but immediately filed a request for early release. Under French law, detention prior to the appeal ruling should be exceptional. The judges will assess whether Sarkozy poses a flight risk, whether there is a risk that he could exert pressure on witnesses or obstruct justice. If the request is granted, Sarkozy could leave La Santé prison in Paris within a few hours under judicial supervision.
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