Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy was granted release on bail Monday, following a request from the public prosecutor before the Paris Court of Appeal.

Incarcerated since October 21 at the Santé prison following his conviction to five years in prison in the Libyan financing case, he will have spent approximately twenty-four days behind bars.

The decision includes several restrictions: prohibition from leaving French territory, prohibition from contacting certain individuals involved in the case. The prosecution had requested his release, arguing that detention was no longer justified. This release comes as Sarkozy’s conviction, found guilty of conspiracy for soliciting secret financing from Libya for his 2007 presidential campaign, marks a first in the history of a former French head of state.

In this new phase, Nicolas Sarkozy will remain under strict judicial control pending his appeal. The announcement of his release reignites the debate on the conditions of incarceration of former French leaders, as well as the judicial guarantees they benefit from.