Nicolas Sarkozy is out of prison: images and words that speak volumes, he lived through a "nightmare"
Released under judicial supervision, Nicolas Sarkozy was able to return to his home in the 16th arrondissement of Paris on Monday. However, he did not appear to be in his best light after three weeks in prison.
The essentials:
- The prosecution's requests were followed by the Paris Court of Appeal. Nicolas Sarkozy is therefore free but must abide by four specific conditions: accept judicial supervision, not leave French territory, not contact other defendants, and not contact the Minister of Justice. Failure to comply with these prohibitions could result in the revocation of his judicial supervision.
- During his hearing on Monday morning, the former president of the Republic wore a navy blue jacket over a black sweater and shirt and appeared tense, according to TF1/LCI . He spoke via videoconference, his complexion pale, even ashen, according to the franceinfo journalist present. These are unprecedented and extremely powerful images for a former head of state.
- "This ordeal was imposed on me. It's hard. It's very hard, it certainly is for every prisoner. I would even say it's exhausting," said Nicolas Sarkozy, while paying "tribute" to the prison staff "who showed exceptional humanity which made this nightmare bearable."
- "As I regain my freedom and my family, I want to tell all those who wrote to me, supported me, defended me, how grateful I am. Your thousands of testimonies have overwhelmed me and given me the strength to endure this ordeal," Nicolas Sarkozy also wrote in a message written on X once he returned home.
- Nicolas Sarkozy had been imprisoned since October 21st, following his conviction to five years in prison with an arrest warrant and provisional enforcement in the case of suspected Libyan financing of his 2007 campaign. A further appeal trial is scheduled for the end of March 2026.
END OF LIVE COVERAGE - Another reaction, and a significant one at that, to Nicolas Sarkozy's release from prison came from his daughter Giulia. Like her older brother Louis Sarkozy, she took to her Instagram account where she posted a photo of herself as a child, alongside her father, with the comment: "Long live freedom."
Following Nicolas Sarkozy's release from prison, his wife, Carla Bruni, made a symbolic statement. On Instagram, the singer shared the message her husband had posted on social media, in which he expressed his gratitude to all those who had supported him, confided that he had been overwhelmed by the thousands of messages of support he received, and asserted that "the truth will prevail." In the caption, Carla Bruni simply wrote: "I love you, Nicolas Sarkozy."
Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin will be a guest on TF1's 8 PM news program on Tuesday, November 11. This will likely be an opportunity to discuss the court's decision on Monday to prohibit Nicolas Sarkozy from contacting him "in order to avoid any risk of hindering the serenity of the proceedings and undermining the independence of the magistrates."
On Instagram, one of Nicolas Sarkozy's sons, Louis, quickly reacted to the announcement of his father's release. Posting a photo of himself as a child with his father, he commented: "Long live freedom." His wife posted the same photo on her social media with "Finally."
The leader of the National Rally and Member of the European Parliament, Jordan Bardella, reacted on Monday to the release of Nicolas Sarkozy. Speaking to BFMTV, he stated that the provisional enforcement of the former head of state's sentence "was not justified." He believes there was a "desire to humiliate" Nicolas Sarkozy. Jordan Bardella also found "strange" the court decision prohibiting Nicolas Sarkozy from contacting the Minister of Justice, Gérald Darmanin.
As a former president of the Republic, Nicolas Sarkozy is officially invited to the November 11th ceremonies on the Champs-Élysées and at the Arc de Triomphe. According to sources close to him, interviewed by AFP, he will not be present tomorrow, despite his release under judicial supervision this Monday.
Nicolas Sarkozy posted a message on his X account. "As I regain my freedom and my family, I want to tell all those who wrote to me, supported me, and defended me how grateful I am. Your thousands of messages of support have deeply moved me and given me the strength to endure this ordeal. The law has been applied. I will now prepare for the appeal trial. My energy is focused solely on proving my innocence. The truth will prevail. This is a lesson life teaches. The end of the story remains to be written," wrote the former President of the Republic.
"Beyond his own person, thousands of detainees awaiting trial, placed in similar conditions, should also benefit from release," said LFI MP Ugo Bernalicis on BFMTV.
The decision to release Nicolas Sarkozy should give us collective pause for thought. Because beyond his individual case, thousands of detainees awaiting trial, placed in similar conditions, should also benefit from release. We must… pic.twitter.com/3eWRSXfC0w
In contrast to right-wing figures who welcomed Nicolas Sarkozy's release from prison on Monday, MP François Ruffin, a member of the "Debout" party, took aim at the former president. "Let Nicolas Sarkozy use his reprieve to learn to cook, even with a Rolex on his wrist. Because in prison, he'll have to go back," he posted on the social network X.
Let Nicolas Sarkozy take advantage of his respite to learn to cook, even with a Rolex on his wrist. Because he has to go back to prison. https://t.co/jKPZg6oGnI
"The former president of the Republic, presumed innocent, has finally regained his freedom. He faced this ordeal with courage and determination, driven by the unwavering will to prove his innocence," declared the president of the Republicans, Bruno Retailleau, and former Minister of the Interior like Nicolas Sarkozy, speaking to BFMTV .
For her part, the left-wing MEP Manon Aubry wasted no time in criticizing Nicolas Sarkozy upon his release from prison. "Luckily for the Sarkozy of 2025 that the Sarkozy of 2017 didn't win the elections... He wouldn't have left prison with what he was proposing," she wrote on X.
It's fortunate for Sarkozy in 2025 that Sarkozy in 2017 didn't win the elections… He wouldn't have gotten out of prison with what he was proposing. pic.twitter.com/gkzoKvzuS6
Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy arriving at his home after leaving La Santé prison in Paris on Monday, November 10, 2025. A good number of journalists and some supporters were waiting for him near his home in the 16th arrondissement of the capital.
"I am delighted by Nicolas Sarkozy's release from prison. The release of the former President of the Republic is a just decision. What a joy to see him regain his freedom and his loved ones!", declared Eric Ciotti, former leader of the Republicans and now head of the UDR, an ally of the National Rally, regarding Nicolas Sarkozy.
"After three weeks of a terrible ordeal, my friend is going to be released, and it's an immense relief! My thoughts are first and foremost with his family, especially his wife Carla and his children, who will have the joy of seeing him again after this injustice. Like all his friends and so many French people, we have lived through these three weeks in pain, thinking of him every moment. Welcome back to your loved ones, Nicolas!" wrote the mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosi, on X, after Nicolas Sarkozy's release under judicial supervision this Monday.
Jean Sarkozy and Pierre Sarkozy, sons of former French President Nicolas Sarkozy, leave their father's house upon his release from prison on Monday, November 10, 2025, in the 16th arrondissement of Paris.
The final hours of Nicolas Sarkozy in prison. The Paris Court of Appeal examined on Monday, November 10, 2025, the request for release filed by Nicolas Sarkozy's lawyers on behalf of their client. The former President of the Republic appeared via videoconference. As a reminder, Nicolas Sarkozy has appealed his five-year prison sentence, with immediate execution, in the case concerning suspected Libyan financing of his 2007 presidential campaign. His new trial is expected to take place before March 25, 2026. The precise dates should be announced on Wednesday at a meeting at the Paris Court of Appeal.
Of the three individuals sentenced to detention by the judgment of September 25, the Court of Appeal has already released former banker Wahib Nacer under judicial supervision but has kept middleman Alexandre Djouhri in prison. Nicolas Sarkozy, for his part, has been incarcerated since October 21.
Now presumed innocent due to his appeal, the criterion of the seriousness of the acts, likely to "disturb public order," which justified his imprisonment, cannot be considered in the review of his release. This Monday, the public prosecutor requested Nicolas Sarkozy's release subject to judicial supervision and a ban on contacting the various defendants and witnesses in the Libyan case. The decision on Nicolas Sarkozy's release request was handed down around 1:40 p.m.
The Paris Court of Appeal has granted Nicolas Sarkozy's request for release. The former president will be placed under judicial supervision. He must abide by four conditions: accept judicial supervision, not leave French territory, not contact other defendants, and not contact the Minister of Justice. Failure to comply with these prohibitions could result in the revocation of his judicial supervision.
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