On Tuesday, Nicolas Sarkozy, France’s president from 2007 to 2012, will become the first former head of an EU country to serve a prison sentence, following his conviction for criminal conspiracy tied to illicit Libyan funding for his 2007 presidential campaign.
The right-wing leader was sentenced on September 25 and will be incarcerated at Paris’s La Sante prison, where he is expected to be held in solitary confinement to avoid interactions with other inmates.
Presiding judge Nathalie Gavarino described the offenses as of “exceptional gravity,” mandating Sarkozy’s imprisonment despite his appeal.
Sarkozy’s legal team is poised to request his release immediately upon his incarceration, with the appeals court having two months to review the case.
If deemed necessary to prevent evidence tampering or witness intimidation, the court could deny release, potentially keeping Sarkozy in a nine-square-meter cell with limited daily outdoor access.
Sarkozy, maintaining his innocence, has expressed readiness to face jail, stating:
I am not afraid of prison. I will hold my head high, even in front of the gates of Sante.
Sarkozy’s legal troubles extend beyond this case, with prior convictions for graft, one involving an electronic ankle tag removed in May.
In the Libyan case, prosecutors alleged his aides, acting under his authority, secured funds from former Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi, though Sarkozy was acquitted of related charges like embezzlement and corruption.
Public opinion, per an Elabe poll, shows 60% of over 1,000 French adults view the sentence as fair.
Despite this, Sarkozy retains support among some right-wing groups, with his son Louis calling for public support outside his home.
Sarkozy plans to write a book during his imprisonment, expressing a desire to remain dignified without seeking special treatment.