Nicolas Sarkozy, the former French president, has been released from prison after three weeks of a five-year sentence for criminal conspiracy related to his 2007 election campaign funding. He will be under strict judicial supervision and cannot leave France. His release was hailed by his lawyer as a positive step, while Sarkozy described his solitary confinement as 'gruelling'. He maintains his innocence regarding the charges. Sarkozy's family supported him during the court proceedings, and he is the first French ex-leader imprisoned since World War II.