Nicolas Sarkozy, the former French president, has begun serving a five-year prison sentence for conspiracy related to funding his election campaign with money from the late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. This marks a significant historical moment, as he is the first ex-president in France to be imprisoned since Philippe Pétain, who was jailed for treason after World War Two.
Sarkozy, who held the presidency from 2007 to 2012, has appealed his sentence while currently residing in the isolation wing of La Santé prison, where his cell measures approximately 9 square meters (95 square feet). His supporters gathered outside his Paris residence after a call from his son, Louis, urging for a display of solidarity, while another son, Pierre, requested messages of love.
Upon his arrival at the prison, Sarkozy, aged 70, experienced a heavy security presence. He has maintained his innocence regarding the allegations linked to the Libyan funding scandal. After being escorted to the prison, he expressed on social media that he believes truth will ultimately prevail but lamented the cost of this situation for both himself and France. He stated that he does not seek special treatment while in custody but remains in isolation for safety concerns, considering the presence of other inmates with serious criminal backgrounds.
In recent interactions, French President Emmanuel Macron acknowledged having met with Sarkozy at the Élysée Palace before his incarceration. Additionally, Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin has expressed his intent to visit Sarkozy in prison to ensure his safety.
Sarkozy has consistently denied any wrongdoing in the campaign financing case, where he was found guilty of criminal conspiracy involving two close associates. While he was cleared of directly receiving the Libyan funds, the court indicated the “exceptional seriousness of the facts” necessitated his imprisonment. As he moves into his sentence, Sarkozy plans to bring with him books for companionship.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgkm2j0xelo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss