Paris, – Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has regained significant freedom of movement after being granted conditional release, with his electronic monitoring bracelet removed on Wednesday, May 14, according to the Paris prosecutor’s office. Sarkozy, who served as president from 2007 to 2012, had been under house arrest since February 7 following a definitive conviction in December 2024 in the “wiretapping affair,” also known as the Paul Bismuth case. Sentenced to one year of imprisonment, the 70-year-old was eligible for conditional release before serving half his sentence, leading to the removal of the bracelet after just over three months.
Despite this development, Sarkozy remains subject to strict conditions. The Paris prosecutor’s office specified that he must “seek prior authorization from the sentencing judge for any travel exceeding fifteen days or any international travel.” Additionally, he is required to “respond to summons” from the judge and submit to visits from the penitentiary service for integration and probation.
Background of the Wiretapping Affair
In the wiretapping affair, Sarkozy was found guilty of engaging in a “corruption pact” in 2014 alongside his longtime lawyer Thierry Herzog and Gilbert Azibert, a senior magistrate at the Court of Cassation. The trio was accused of attempting to influence a legal recourse in the Bettencourt affair by securing confidential information and exerting pressure on the court, in exchange for Sarkozy promising to facilitate a prestigious position for Azibert in Monaco.
Looming Verdict in Libyan Funding Case
Sarkozy faces further legal challenges in a separate case involving allegations of Libyan financing of his 2007 presidential campaign. The National Financial Prosecutor’s Office has requested a seven-year prison sentence, a €300,000 fine, and a five-year ban on holding public office. A verdict in this high-profile case is scheduled for September 25, 2025, adding to the legal pressures on the former president as he navigates the repercussions of his conditional release.
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