Nicolas Sarkozy, the former President of France, has had his electronic ankle bracelet removed after being granted conditional release, as confirmed by the Paris prosecutor's office. Sarkozy, who served as president from 2007 to 2012, was sentenced to one year of imprisonment with an electronic bracelet in the wiretapping case, a verdict that was finalized in December. Due to his age of 70, Sarkozy was eligible to request conditional release before serving half of his sentence, leading to the removal of his bracelet slightly over three months after his sentencing.

The conditional release was granted by the sentence enforcement judge (JAP) on May 12, following Sarkozy's application on April 16. This legal provision allows individuals over a certain age to seek early release under specific conditions. Sarkozy's lawyer, Jacqueline Laffont-Haïk, emphasized that the decision was strictly in accordance with the law and jurisprudence, stating that such a measure could have been applied from the first day of his sentence.

Under the terms of his conditional release, Sarkozy is required to seek prior authorization from the JAP for any trips lasting more than 15 days or for travel abroad. Additionally, he must respond to summons from the JAP and receive visits from the probation and integration service. These conditions aim to ensure that Sarkozy adheres to the legal framework of his release while reintegrating into society.

Since February 7, Sarkozy had been wearing the electronic monitoring device, which restricted his movements outside his home to specific hours. The removal of the bracelet marks a significant development in Sarkozy's legal journey, as he continues to work from his office in Paris. The case highlights the French legal system's provisions for conditional release, especially for elderly convicts, balancing justice with considerations of age and rehabilitation.