Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has been released from prison after a Paris court ruled on Monday he could be freed pending an appeal for his September conviction for criminal conspiracy, according to CNN affiliate BFMTV.

He was convicted for his involvement in a scheme to finance his 2007 presidential campaign with funds from Libya in exchange for diplomatic favours.

In a post on social media after his release, Sarkozy expressed his gratitude to all those who had "supported" and "defended" him, vowing that the "truth will prevail" in his upcoming appeal.

"I will now prepare the appeal trial. My energy is focused solely on the single goal of proving my innocence," Sarkozy said.

Earlier on Monday, before his release, Sarkozy addressed a court hearing via videolink, he said that

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