French Ex-President Nicolas Sarkozy Sentenced to Five Years Over Libyan Funds

Paris, France — Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has begun serving a five-year prison sentence in Paris following his conviction for criminal conspiracy to finance his 2007 election campaign with funds from Libya.

At 70, Sarkozy arrived at La Santé prison on Tuesday afternoon, becoming the first ex-leader of modern France to be imprisoned. Before leaving his residence, he told reporters:

“An innocent man is being locked up.”

Sarkozy walked hand-in-hand with his wife, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, and was joined by his children — Jean, Pierre, Louis, and Giulia — as well as his grandchildren, who came to bid him farewell. Hundreds of supporters gathered in the upscale neighbourhood, waving French flags, chanting his name, and displaying banners reading: “Courage Nicolas, return soon” and “True France with Nicolas.”

Paris resident Michelle Perié, 67, who joined the crowd, said, “There is anger, injustice. He’s not like any other defendants; he holds state secrets and has always done his job with his head held high. We don’t understand.”

President Emmanuel Macron commented on the case on Monday, emphasizing the independence of the judiciary while acknowledging the human aspect of interacting with a predecessor.[irp]

Sarkozy’s lawyer, Christophe Ingrain, told BFM TV that his client’s incarceration “strengthens his determination, it strengthens his rage to prove that he is innocent.” Ingrain also confirmed that Sarkozy plans to write a book about his prison experience.

Another lawyer, Jean-Michel Darrois, told France Info that Sarkozy is mentally prepared for solitary confinement, explaining:

“First, he packed a bag with a few sweaters because it’s cold in prison, and earplugs because it’s very noisy. Isolation like what he’s going to go through is painful, but he got himself prepared.”

In interviews with La Tribune Dimanche and Le Figaro, Sarkozy insisted he is not afraid of prison and will face it with dignity, bringing three books — including Alexandre Dumas’ The Count of Monte Cristo — and ten family photos, the maximum allowed. His lawyers confirmed that a request for release will be filed “very quickly.”

“I’ll hold my head high, including in front of the doors of La Santé. I’ll fight till the end,” Sarkozy said.

The conviction and imprisonment of Sarkozy have sparked intense public debate in France, highlighting issues of political accountability, justice, and the treatment of former leaders.