Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy walked free from prison on Monday and returned home after a Paris court ruled that he could remain out of jail while appealing his conviction for allegedly trying to raise campaign funds from Libya.

Sarkozy had been sent to prison on October 21 after being found guilty in September of criminal conspiracy, following accusations that his close aides sought financial help for his 2007 presidential campaign from the late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.

The former French leader, who served as president from 2007 to 2012, told the court that his time behind bars had been extremely difficult.

“Truth will prevail. This is a fact that life teaches us,” he wrote on X after reaching home.

He said he would now concentrate fully on his appeal, adding that “the end of the story remains to be written.”

The court said Sarkozy was not a flight risk and therefore did not need to stay in jail while the appeal was being heard.

His release was based on clear conditions, such as whether he might try to flee, but it did not mean that his appeal was likely to succeed.

“Vive la liberte,” which means Long live freedom, Sarkozy’s youngest son Louis, wrote on his X account, sharing an old photo of himself smiling beside his father.

Sarkozy’s five-year prison sentence was enforced quickly after judges described the crime as having “extraordinary seriousness.” He was being held at La Sante prison in Paris, a sharp downfall for a man who once held France’s highest office.

But on Monday, the public prosecutor advised that Sarkozy be released while his appeal was still pending.

The court agreed, allowing him to leave prison under strict supervision, including a ban on leaving France and a ban on speaking to any justice ministry official.

Sarkozy has continued to deny any wrongdoing, calling himself a victim of revenge and hatred. He did not attend the hearing in person but appeared by video from prison.

He told the court he would follow any order given by the judiciary if 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.

Talking about his time in prison, he said, “It’s tough. Really tough – as it must be for any detainee. I’d even say it’s draining.”

Since leaving office, Sarkozy has faced several legal battles.

Last year, France’s highest court upheld his conviction for corruption and influence peddling and ordered him to wear an electronic tag for a year, making him the first former French president to do so. The tag has now been removed.

Also, last year, an appeals court confirmed his conviction for illegal campaign financing during his failed 2012 re-election campaign. A final ruling on that case from France’s highest court is expected later this month.

Sarkozy also remains under formal investigation in another case for allegedly being an accessory to witness tampering.