A Paris appeals court decided Monday to release former French President Nicolas Sarkozy from prison and place him under judicial supervision.

Monday's announcement came less than three weeks after Sarkozy began serving a five-year sentence for criminal conspiracy in a scheme to finance his 2007 election campaign with funds from Libya.

Sarkozy will be banned from leaving the French territory, the court said. An appeal trial is expected to take place later, possibly in the spring.

Sarkozy, 70, became the first former French head of state in modern times to be sent behind bars after his conviction on Sept. 25. He denies any wrongdoing. He was jailed on Oct. 21 pending appeal but immediately filed for early release.

France's former president Nicolas Sarkozy waves to supporters as he le

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