You can appeal, and until every legal options have been pursued a verdict is not final. Since you're innocent until proven guilty, and you cannot be guilty untill all options have been pursued, you're free until the appeal has been completed.

There was a special law (that his party voted for btw) that added sentencing enhancements for the specific crime he did iirc

No, he was convicted, put in prison, appealed the verdict and was released after 20 days waiting for the next trial

Because you can appeal a decision, and a verdict isn't final until every legal options have been pursued, appeal being one of them

It's simple really, but if course it's not as outrageous and can't be used as rage bait