A French court has granted former President Nicolas Sarkozy's request for early release in a case involving overspending on his 2012 election campaign, Deutsche Welle reported citing sources.

The 71-year-old politician had requested a softening of his sentence due to his age. The court's decision takes effect on May 7.

The case concerns PR agency Bygmalion, which managed Sarkozy's campaign. The court found that Sarkozy's party received over 18 million euros from the agency that were not recorded as official expenses. Initially sentenced to one year in prison, the term was later reduced to six months, with the option of electronic monitoring. Sarkozy will no longer be required to wear an electronic bracelet.

Sarkozy served as President of France from 2007 to 2012, becoming the first former head of state to receive a real prison sentence.

In March 2021, Sarkozy was also found guilty of corruption and bribery of a judge at the Court of Cassation. He received a one-year prison sentence and two years suspended, but the sentence was replaced with partial house arrest and electronic monitoring.

In September 2025, Sarkozy was convicted of criminal conspiracy in a case involving alleged financing of his campaign by the Libyan government of Muammar Gaddafi in 2005–2007. The court sentenced him to five years in prison, with the sentence deferred. In October 2025, the ex-president spent 20 days in jail before being released under judicial supervision. An appeal is currently being considered.

Source: kun.uz