The competent court in France has decided to release Nicolas Sarkozy from prison until his appeal is heard, emphasizing that he will be under supervision.

In addition, as Reuters reports, he is prohibited from having any contact with any official of the French Ministry of Justice.

The former French president remained in prison for about three weeks. He was sentenced to five years in prison for conspiracy and efforts by his close associates to secure funds from the late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi  for his 2007 presidential campaign.

He was acquitted of all other charges, including corruption and receiving illegal campaign funding.

Earlier, the prosecutor had also spoken out in favor of his release, on the condition that he be under supervision.