Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has begun serving a five-year prison sentence for conspiring to fund his 2007 election campaign with money from late Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi, marking the first time a former French leader has been jailed since World War II. The event, which took place within the last 24 hours, has ignited debates about justice and political accountability in France.
Sarkozy arrived at La Santé prison in Paris shortly before 10:00 local time, where dozens of police officers cordoned off surrounding streets to manage the situation. More than 100 supporters gathered outside his villa in the city’s exclusive 16th district, cheering and shouting his name as he left with his wife, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, by his hand. His sons had publicly appealed for a show of support, with one emphasizing messages of love and solidarity rather than protest.
The former president, who served from 2007 to 2012, was convicted of criminal association with two close aides for their role in secret campaign financing from Libyan sources. Although cleared of personally receiving the money, Sarkozy was found guilty of collaborating with Brice Hortefeux and Claude Guéant, who held meetings with Gaddafi’s intelligence chief in 2005. The case revolved around allegations that his campaign was funded by millions of euros in Libyan cash, claims he has consistently denied.
Upon entering prison, Sarkozy posted a message on social media platform X, maintaining his innocence and expressing sorrow for what he described as a France “humiliated by a will for revenge.” He wrote, “I have no doubt. Truth will prevail. But how crushing the price will have been,” and insisted that it was an innocent man being jailed, not a former president. His lawyer, Christophe Ingrain, filed a request for his release moments after he entered jail, arguing that nothing justified his imprisonment.
Sarkozy is being held in the isolation wing of La Santé prison for his safety, occupying a small cell measuring 9-11 square meters equipped with a toilet, shower, desk, and a small TV for which he must pay a monthly fee. He is allowed one hour of daily exercise alone in a segregated courtyard and can receive family visits and external communication, but effectively lives in solitary confinement. Former prison staff have highlighted the harsh conditions of such isolation, noting the social and psychological difficulties it entails.
The jailing has drawn significant political attention, with current President Emmanuel Macron confirming that he met Sarkozy at the Élysée Palace prior to the event, describing it as a normal human gesture for a predecessor. Macron stressed that it is not his role to comment on judicial decisions but acknowledged that the sight of a president jailed would provoke discussion among the French public. Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin announced plans to visit Sarkozy in prison to ensure his safety and the proper functioning of the facility.
Sarkozy’s legal troubles extend beyond this case; he has faced multiple criminal inquiries since leaving office and was previously convicted in another illegal campaign financing case known as the Bygmalion affair, for which he is appealing a six-month jail term. A verdict on that appeal is expected next month. The Libyan money case involved allegations that his campaign received funds from Gaddafi, with meetings arranged by a Franco-Lebanese intermediary who died shortly before Sarkozy’s conviction.
The incarceration of Sarkozy represents a pivotal moment in France’s ongoing struggle against political corruption and impunity. It signals a shift in how the justice system handles high-profile figures and may influence public perception of accountability in politics. As Sarkozy begins his sentence, attention turns to his appeal process and the outcomes of his other legal battles, which could further shape his legacy and the political landscape in France.