Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy's request to be released from jail pending an appeal will be heard in a Paris court, less than a month after he started a five-year sentence for conspiring to raise campaign funds from Libya.

The former conservative president, 70, was found guilty of criminal conspiracy over efforts by close aides to procure funds for his 2007 presidential bid from late dictator Muammar Gaddafi.

He was acquitted of all other charges, including corruption and receiving illegal campaign financing.

Sarkozy's prison sentence was enforced immediately because of the "extraordinary seriousness" of the crime, judge Nathalie Gavarino told the court.

He was incarcerated at La Sante prison in Paris last month - a stunning downfall for a man who had led France from 2007 unti

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