France's former president Sarkozy freed from ankle bracelet

France's convicted former president Nicolas Sarkozy has been freed from his ankle bracelet after having worn it for three months.

The Paris public prosecutor's office confirmed to dpa on Thursday that the 70-year-old former politician still had to comply with certain conditions under the terms of his suspended sentence.

Sarkozy was sentenced to three years in prison for bribery and illegal influence peddling. Two of those years were suspended, and he was to serve one year at home with an ankle bracelet. The electronic device was fitted at the beginning of February.

Sarkozy can now enjoy more freedom. With the ankle bracelet, he was only allowed to leave his home between 8 am and 8 pm. Exceptions were made when he had to appear in court for another trial.

Even without the bracelet, Sarkozy still needs permission from a judge to travel abroad or to be away for more than 15 days.

Sarkozy was released from his ankle bracelet after only a few months because, as he is 70 years old, he was able to apply for parole before he had served half of his sentence.

In December, the Court of Cassation, France's highest court, upheld the unprecedented conviction of Sarkozy.