Nicolas Sarkozy released from prison under judicial supervision pending appeal

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy was released from prison in Paris on Monday, less than three weeks into a five-year sentence, after an appeals court granted his request for release pending his appeals trial.

The Paris appeals court ruled that the 70-year-old former head of state would be placed under judicial supervision immediately upon his departure from La Sante prison. Sarkozy left the facility later Monday afternoon.

Sarkozy had entered prison on October 21 after being convicted of criminal conspiracy related to a scheme to acquire funding from Moammar Gadhafi's Libya for his successful 2007 presidential campaign. His incarceration marked the first time a former head of a European Union member state had been jailed.

During the court examination of his request for release earlier Monday, Sarkozy described his time in custody as a "nightmare" and told magistrates that the experience was "very hard, very hard. Certainly it is for any detainee. I would even say it is exhausting."

Sarkozy's legal team swiftly sought his release following his entry into custody. The appeals court decision allows him to await his subsequent trial outside of jail, though he remains subject to strict conditions. Under the terms of his judicial supervision, the former president is prohibited from leaving French territory.

The original conviction stemmed from a lower court ruling in September, which found Sarkozy guilty of criminal conspiracy over the plan to secure Libyan funds. While the court did not rule that the funds were ultimately received or used in the campaign, the conviction focused on the conspiracy itself. Sarkozy was acquitted of other related charges, including corruption and illegal campaign financing.

The appeals trial is expected to take place at a later date.