Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy began serving a five-year prison sentence on Monday for conspiring to raise campaign funds from Libya, arriving at La Sante prison in Paris — in a dramatic setback for the man who led the country from 2007 to 2012, Reuters reports.
The former conservative president, 70, left his home and drove to prison, walking arm in arm with his wife Carla Bruni-Sarkozy as he was cheered on by a crowd of supporters chanting "Nicolas, Nicolas" and singing the French national anthem, La Marseillaise.
Sarkozy, who was convicted last month, became the first former French leader to be jailed since Nazi collaborator Marshal Philippe Petain after World War II.
Sarkozy claims he is innocent.
Shortly after leaving for La Sante prison, Sarkozy posted a message on the social network X claiming to be the victim of "revenge and hatred."
"I want to say (to the French people), with the unwavering strength that characterizes me, that this morning it is not the former President of the Republic who is going to prison — but an innocent man," he wrote.
The verdict for Sarkozy marked the end of years of legal battles over allegations that his 2007 presidential campaign received millions in cash from then-Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, who was later overthrown and killed during the Arab Spring uprising.
Although Sarkozy was found guilty of conspiring with his close associates to organize the scheme, he was acquitted of charges that he personally received or used the money.
He consistently denies any guilt and claims that the process is politically motivated.
His lawyers said they have filed a request for early release, pending appeal, and expect the request to be decided in about a month — with the hope that Sarkozy could be freed by Christmas.
Sarkozy will be placed in an isolation unit
Sarkozy will most likely be placed in the isolation section of La Sante prison, where prisoners are held in individual cells and are separated during their time in the open air, for security reasons.
The conditions are similar to those in the rest of the prison: the cells have an area of nine to 12 square meters and, after renovation, include private bathrooms.
Sarkozy will have access to a television – for a monthly fee of 14 euros – and a landline telephone.
Sarkozy told Le Figaro newspaper that he would take three books with him during his first week behind bars, including Alexandre Dumas' novel "The Count of Monte Cristo" - the story of a man who is unjustly imprisoned and who plots revenge on those who betrayed him.
Political reactions and protests
The decision to imprison the former president has sparked outrage among Sarkozy's political allies and the French far right.
"Nicolas Sarkozy is not a criminal. We have the feeling that the judicial system is taking power, and that is not good for France," said his supporter Jacqueline Frabule, who was among those gathered to greet him today.
Sarkozy's children and brothers also attended the gathering.
Sarkozy, with a serious expression on his face, waved to supporters before getting into a car to head to prison.
France tightens stance on financial crime
The Sarkozy verdict reflects a shift in France's approach to so-called "white collar crime." During the 1990s and 2000s, many convicted politicians managed to avoid prison.
Despite his legal troubles, Sarkozy's political influence has remained surprisingly strong, as French society shifts to the right.
President Emmanuel Macron, who had close ties with Sarkozy and Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, said on Monday that he had met with him before he was sent to prison. Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin said he would visit him in prison.
This sparked anger among left-wing politicians, who accused Macron and Darmanin of interfering with the independence of the judiciary.
The son of a Hungarian immigrant, Sarkozy became president in 2007, promising to "shake up" France through pro-business reforms that would revive the flagging economy and return the country to global leadership.
However, those efforts were soon thwarted by the economic crisis of 2008–2009, and voters did not give him credit for either raising the retirement age from 60 to 62 or relaxing the 35-hour workweek rule.
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