PARIS -- Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy has been released from prison in Paris after spending around 20 days in detention, following a decision by the Paris Court of Appeal on Monday, which ordered his release under strict judicial supervision.

He was seen leaving the prison this afternoon, according to local media reports.

On Sept 25, the Paris Criminal Court sentenced Sarkozy to five years in prison for criminal conspiracy related to alleged Libyan financing of his 2007 presidential campaign. Although he has appealed the verdict, the judges ordered the sentence to take immediate effect, citing the "exceptional seriousness" of the offenses.

Sarkozy was imprisoned on Oct 21, becoming the first former French president in modern history to serve a prison sentence. His lawyers immediately lodged an appeal and requested his release.

During Monday morning's hearing, the former head of state appeared via videoconference from his cell. He described his detention as "hard, very hard, certainly for any prisoner."

The court of appeal ruled that his continued detention was no longer the only means of preventing the risks outlined in the Code of Criminal Procedure, such as pressure on witnesses, collusion, flight risk, or reoffending.

It therefore ordered his release, subject to strict judicial supervision, including a ban on leaving French territory. In addition, the court imposed extended contact restrictions, noting his "capacity to influence various government departments" as a former president.