Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy began serving a five-year prison sentence on Tuesday after being convicted of criminal conspiracy for allegedly financing his 2007 election campaign with funds from Libya — becoming the first modern French leader to be imprisoned.
Sarkozy, accompanied by his wife Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, left their Paris home hand-in-hand and headed to the La Santé prison. Before entering the facility, he released a statement on social media, saying that “an innocent man” was being sent to prison.
The 70-year-old former president was convicted last month for criminal conspiracy in a scheme involving illegal funding from Libya. He has appealed the verdict and denounced the court’s “unjust” decision to jail him while his appeal is pending.
On his way to prison, Sarkozy paused outside his residence to greet supporters, family members, and grandchildren who had gathered to show solidarity. Dozens chanted “Nicolas, Nicolas,” waved French flags, and displayed banners reading “Courage Nicolas, return soon” and “True France with Nicolas.”
His lawyers said Sarkozy will be kept in solitary confinement for security reasons. “He has prepared himself mentally,” lawyer Jean-Michel Darrois told France Info, adding that Sarkozy packed “a few sweaters because it’s cold in prison, and earplugs because it’s noisy.”
Another lawyer, Christophe Ingrain, said the imprisonment had only strengthened Sarkozy’s resolve “to prove his innocence.” He added that the former president plans to write a book about his prison experience.
Sarkozy told La Tribune Dimanche newspaper he would enter prison “with his head held high” and vowed to “fight till the end.” He also said he would bring along three books — the maximum allowed — including Alexandre Dumas’ The Count of Monte Cristo, a novel about wrongful imprisonment and revenge.
A Paris judge ruled that Sarkozy must begin serving his sentence immediately, citing “the seriousness of the disruption to public order caused by the offense.”
His legal team plans to quickly file a request for release, which the appeals court will have up to two months to review.
President Emmanuel Macron, who hosted Sarkozy at the Élysée Palace last week, said he respected judicial independence but described the meeting as “a human gesture” toward one of his predecessors.
Source: AP