France: why Nicolas Sarkozy was released from electronic monitoring

Sarkozy had been fitted with an electronic ankle bracelet in February after being convicted of corruption and influence peddling—a first in French history for a former head of state. In a post on his X (formerly Twitter) account, he stated, “I have chosen to suspend my public activities as former president and withdraw from any form of media expression,” while adding that he would continue his professional career, as permitted by law.

On Wednesday, May 14, the Paris public prosecutor’s office confirmed to BFMTV that Sarkozy had been released from electronic monitoring, which he had been under since February 7.

The prosecutor explained that Sarkozy, now 70, submitted his request for release before serving half of his sentence, a condition that made the request legally admissible.

Sarkozy was definitively convicted in December and sentenced to one year of prison time, to be served under electronic surveillance, in the so-called “wiretapping case.” Given his age, French law allowed him to request early conditional release before reaching the halfway mark of his sentence. This legal provision resulted in the removal of his bracelet after just over three months.

“I can confirm that Mr. Nicolas Sarkozy was granted conditional release on May 14 by the judge in charge of detention and release,” his lawyer stated.