Sarkozy Appeals for Release After Libya Funding Conviction. Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy is seeking release from jail as a Paris court reviews his appeal on Monday, just weeks after he began a five-year prison sentence for conspiring to raise campaign funds from Libya. The 70-year-old ex-leader was convicted of criminal conspiracy linked to efforts by aides to secure money from late Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi for his 2007 campaign. He was acquitted of other charges, including corruption and illegal financing. The court ordered Sarkozy's immediate imprisonment, describing the offense as "extraordinarily serious. Sarkozy, who has denied all wrongdoing, will not appear in court but will be represented by his lawyers. They argue there's no legal reason to keep him in custody. If approved, Sarkozy could be released under strict conditions — such as wearing an electronic tag or checking in with authorities. The former president still faces other cases, including a confirmed conviction for corruption and another pending ruling on his 2012 campaign financing. Instructions: THIS VIDEO MUST NOT BE EDITED FOR LENGTH TO COMBINE WITH OTHER CONTENT