A Paris appeals court on Monday ordered the release of former French President Nicolas Sarkozy from prison, placing him under judicial supervision less than three weeks after he began serving a five-year sentence for criminal conspiracy related to illegal campaign financing from Libya.

The court ruled that Sarkozy, 70, cannot leave French territory while awaiting his appeal trial, which is expected to take place later.

Sarkozy became the first former French head of state in modern times to be imprisoned after being convicted on September 25 for allegedly using funds from the late Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi to finance his 2007 election campaign. He has consistently denied any wrongdoing.

During Monday’s hearing, Sarkozy appeared via video link from Paris’ La Santé prison, telling judges that he had “always respected justice” and describing his time behind bars as “very hard.” He also expressed gratitude to prison staff for their support during what he called a “nightmare.”

His wife, singer and former model Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, and two of his sons attended the hearing at the Paris courthouse.

Under French law, release is generally granted pending appeal unless judges determine that a convicted person poses a flight risk or could obstruct justice. Advocate General Damien Brunet recommended Sarkozy’s release under judicial supervision, which the court accepted.

Sarkozy, who served as president from 2007 to 2012, still faces several other legal battles — including a November 26 ruling by France’s highest court over the illegal financing of his failed 2012 reelection bid and an ongoing investigation into alleged witness tampering in the Libya case.

In 2023, Sarkozy was found guilty of corruption and influence peddling for attempting to bribe a magistrate. The Court of Cassation later upheld that verdict.