Earlier quoted context omitted.
It is not political play. This is FUD spread by his political supporters. The "exécution provisoire" is a measure that was introduced when his own party was in power, to make sure that terrorists were jailed immediately. He happened to be condemned for breaching the same law (association de malfaiteurs) that is used against terrorists. I once read a comment by a lawyer that he was amazed by the number of politicians…
Political aspects of the justice system are never acknowledged for obvious reasons but it does not mean they don't exist. I cannot be sure of what is happening (hence "seems") but neither can you, especially regarding decisions that are discretionary. At least here there is a guilty verdict even if not final. In France people can be jailed for years without a trial...
Sure, but also, he did the crime. There can not really be any doubt for the people who followed the trial, and the judges have shown extreme caution, rejecting charges when there was the slightest doubt.
The political opinion or lack thereof of judges is irrelevant.