Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy Begins Prison Sentence Over Libyan Campaign Funding Scandal
Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has begun serving a five-year prison sentence in Paris after being found guilty of criminal conspiracy for allegedly using Libyan funds to finance his 2007 presidential campaign.
The 70-year-old ex-leader arrived at La Santé Prison on Tuesday afternoon, becoming the first former president in modern French history to be incarcerated. Before leaving his residence, Sarkozy told journalists, “An innocent man is being locked up.”
He was accompanied by his wife, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, as they walked out of their home to join family members and supporters gathered outside. Dozens of people in the neighborhood waved French flags and chanted “Nicolas, Nicolas,” while banners nearby read, “Courage Nicolas, return soon” and “True France with Nicolas.”
Family members, including his children — Jean, Pierre, Louis, and Giulia — and grandchildren, were present to see him off, according to the Associated Press.
A Paris resident, Michelle Perié, 67, who joined the crowd, said she came out “because there is anger and injustice.” She added that Sarkozy “is not like any other defendant; he holds state secrets and has always done his job with dignity.”
Commenting on the case, President Emmanuel Macron said, “The judiciary is independent, but it was normal on a human level to receive one of my predecessors in this context.”
Sarkozy’s lawyer, Christophe Ingrain, told BFM TV that the former president’s imprisonment “only strengthens his determination and resolve to prove his innocence,” adding that Sarkozy plans to write a book about his prison experience.
Another member of his legal team, Jean-Michel Darrois, told France Info that Sarkozy was “mentally prepared” for solitary confinement, saying, “He packed a few sweaters because it’s cold in prison, and earplugs because it’s noisy. Isolation is painful, but he’s prepared for it.”
In a recent interview with La Tribune Dimanche, Sarkozy said, “I’m not afraid of prison. I’ll hold my head high, even at the gates of La Santé. I’ll fight till the end.”
He also revealed to Le Figaro that he intends to take three books — including Alexandre Dumas’ The Count of Monte Cristo — and ten family photos, the maximum allowed. His lawyers confirmed that an appeal for his release would be filed soon.
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