A Paris appeals court ruled Monday that former French President Nicolas Sarkozy will be released from prison and placed under judicial supervision amid his appeal of his conviction.

Sarkozy started his five-year prison sentence nearly three weeks ago after being found guilty of criminal conspiracy with the late Libyan leader Muammar Gadhafi.

The 70-year-old former French president was expected to leave Paris’ La Santé prison Monday afternoon after his early release request was granted, according to the Associated Press. Sarkozy cannot leave the French territory and is banned from being in touch with co-defendants and witnesses in his case, the court said. An appeals trial is expected to occur later, potentially in the spring.

During the hearing, Sarkozy argued from prison via video conference that he has always met all justice requirements.

“I had never imagined I would experience prison at 70. This ordeal was imposed on me, and I lived through it. It’s hard, very hard,” he said.

Release is the general rule pending appeal under French law, while detention is the exception.

Sarkozy received his five-year prison sentence in September from a court, where one of the judges said he was guilty of letting his close associates “act with the aim of obtaining financial support” from the Libyan regime. The panel of judges dismissed corruption charges against Sarkozy, finding no evidence of Libyan funds being used in his successful 2007 campaign.

Sarkozy, who left office in 2012, testified in court during his trial, denying any allegations of wrongdoing and calling the accusations against him grotesque and baseless. He said Gadhafi’s visit allowed France to sign billions of euros' worth of contracts with Libya.