Nicolas Sarkozy Begins Prison Sentence for Election Finance Crimes

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy began serving his prison sentence on March 12, 2024, following his conviction for conspiring to finance his 2007 election campaign with Libyan funds. This marks a significant moment in French politics, as Sarkozy becomes the first ex-president of modern France to be imprisoned.

Sarkozy, who has consistently maintained his innocence, contests both the conviction and the decision by the Paris court to incarcerate him while his appeal is pending. The judge ruled that the seriousness of the offense warranted immediate imprisonment, citing concerns over public order disruptions.

Support and Reactions

The former president’s journey from the Élysée Palace to the infamous La Santé prison has captured national attention. In a show of solidarity, one of his sons, Louis Sarkozy, called for a rally in support of his father in an upscale Paris neighborhood where the family resides. Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, Sarkozy’s wife, has been vocal on social media, sharing family photos and songs in his honor since the conviction.

In a recent meeting, French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed Sarkozy at the presidential palace, acknowledging the human aspect of their interaction. “I have always been very clear in my public statements about the independence of the judiciary in my role, but it was normal on a human level to receive one of my predecessors in this context,” Macron stated.

Life in Prison and Future Plans

Sarkozy anticipates being placed in solitary confinement for security reasons. Alternatively, he may be assigned to the prison’s section designated for “vulnerable” inmates, often referred to as a VIP section. “I’m not afraid of prison. I’ll hold my head high, including in front of the doors of La Santé,” he told La Tribune Dimanche. “I’ll fight till the end.”

As he prepares for incarceration, Sarkozy has packed a prison bag containing clothing and the maximum of ten family photographs he is allowed. He also plans to take three books, including Alexandre Dumas’ classic, The Count of Monte Cristo, which features a protagonist escaping from prison.

Following his imprisonment, Sarkozy will be able to request release from the appeals court, but only after he has begun serving his sentence. Judges will have up to two months to consider any such requests.

This unprecedented event in French political history raises significant questions about the intersection of politics and the legal system, and how it will impact Sarkozy’s legacy and the broader political landscape in France.