A Paris court decided Nicolas Sarkozy could be let out of prison, the first jailing of a former president in the French Republic's history, while he challenges his conviction.

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 until 2012.

He entered jail on Oct. 21, becoming the first former head of an EU state to be incarcerated. The appeal means that Sarkozy is now presumed innocent again.