France: Sarkozy’s request for release from prison to be examined on 10 November

Milan, 31 October (LaPresse) – The request for the release of former French President Nicolas Sarkozy, submitted by his lawyers, will be examined by the Paris Court of Appeal on 10 November. Le Figaro learned this from informed sources. The Court will have to decide whether to grant Sarkozy provisional release until the appeal trial, which is expected to begin by 25 March. The former president was convicted in the first instance in the Libya financing case. His lawyers will request his release under Article 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, arguing that Nicolas Sarkozy does not meet any of the criteria justifying continued pre-trial detention and that the sentence, even in the first instance, is not the same as pre-trial detention. If their request is granted, Sarkozy could be released on the evening of 10 November or the following morning. However, the judges may require him to wear an electronic tag.