Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has been granted early release from jail just weeks into his five-year sentence.
The 70-year-old was jailed on October 21 after a court found him guilty in September of criminal conspiracy over efforts by close aides to procure funds for his 2007 presidential bid from late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.
He was acquitted of all other charges, including corruption and receiving illegal campaign financing.
Sarkozy, who led France from 2007 to 2012, began his sentence at La Sante prison in Paris last month.
He is however set to be freed this afternoon after requesting early release.
The public prosecutor recommended the ex-president be freed pending his appeal and put under strict judicial supervision, with a ban on contact with other indicted individuals and witnesses involved in the proceedings.
The prosecutor said Sarkozy did not represent a flight risk.
The court agreed to release him under judicial supervision which would include a ban on leaving France, according to local media.
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The ex-French President was jailed on October 21
|REUTERS/BENOIT Tessier
Sarkozy has consistently denied wrongdoing, calling himself a victim of revenge and hatred.
He did not attend today's hearing at a Paris court in person but appeared via video link from prison.
He told the court earlier that he would respect any demand from the judiciary if he was freed.
"I'm French, sir. I love my country. I’m fighting for the truth to prevail. I will comply with all the obligations imposed on me, as I always have," he said.
Speaking of being in jail, he added: "It’s tough. Really tough — as it must be for any detainee. I’d even say it’s draining."
Sarkozy has faced several legal battles since leaving office.
Last year, France's highest court upheld a conviction for corruption and influence peddling, ordering him to wear an electronic tag for a year, a first for a former French head of state.
The tag has since been removed.
Also last year, an appeals court confirmed a separate conviction for illegal campaign financing over his failed re-election bid in 2012.
A final ruling from France's highest court is expected on that case this month.