France’s former president Nicolas Sarkozy is set to begin a prison sentence on Tuesday, October 21, following his conviction for criminal conspiracy linked to alleged Libyan funding of his 2007 presidential campaign.
Sarkozy, 69, who led France from 2007 to 2012, was found guilty in late September over a scheme involving the regime of late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. Prosecutors said the funds helped secure his electoral victory.
Despite appealing the ruling, Sarkozy will be incarcerated at La Santé Prison in Paris, becoming the first former head of an EU nation to serve time behind bars.
“If they absolutely want me to sleep in prison, I will sleep in prison, but with my head held high,” Sarkozy said after the verdict.
Sources told AFP he will likely be held in solitary confinement to avoid contact with other inmates and prevent unauthorized photos.
Judge Nathalie Gavarino described the offences as “exceptionally grave” and ordered detention even with an appeal pending. Sarkozy’s legal team is expected to request his release, which could lead to house arrest with an ankle monitor.
The former president has faced multiple legal battles since leaving office. He was previously convicted in two other cases, including a corruption trial involving attempts to obtain confidential information from a judge
In the “Libyan case,” prosecutors alleged Sarkozy’s associates struck an illegal funding deal with Gaddafi in 2005. France was said to have helped rehabilitate Gaddafi’s global image in return. However, Sarkozy was acquitted of embezzlement and illegal campaign financing.
Following his earlier conviction, Sarkozy was stripped of the Legion of Honour. Despite legal troubles, he remains popular among some conservative voters.
A recent Elabe poll showed 60% of French citizens believe the sentence is fair. His son, Louis Sarkozy, has called on supporters to rally outside his home on Tuesday.
President Emmanuel Macron condemned threats made against Judge Gavarino as “unacceptable.”
La Santé Prison has housed several high-profile inmates, including Venezuelan militant “Carlos the Jackal” and model agent Jean-Luc Brunel, who died in custody in 2022.
Ravenewsonline will continue to monitor developments as Sarkozy begins his sentence.
