Paris, Oct 21, (dpa/GNA) – Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy, arrived on Tuesday at a Paris prison, accompanied by a massive media presence to begin a five-year sentence, television images showed.
Sarkozy will be housed in an isolated and specially protected area of the prison, according to his lawyer. He is not expected to receive preferential treatment.
Sarkozy, 70, was convicted of having participated in a criminal organization, in connection with alleged campaign finances from the late Libyan dictator, Moamer Gaddafi.
Sarkozy was found guilty at the end of September, and the court ordered the immediate enforcement of the sentence, despite the former president having filed an appeal.
Sarkozy can apply for release on conditions
He can apply for conditional release immediately after starting his sentence due to his age. In France, such a provision applies to inmates aged 70 and older, allowing them to serve their sentence outside prison under certain conditions.
Such an application has been promptly submitted, said Sarkozy’s lawyer Christophe Ingrain. He expects that Sarkozy will have to spend three to four weeks behind bars, until a decision on the application is made. The judiciary must do this within a maximum of two months.
Before Sarkozy’s imprisonment, he was received by President Emmanuel Macron at the ÉlysĂ©e Palace, the president’s official residence, on Friday, the palace confirmed upon request. Justice Minister GĂ©rald Darmanin announced that he would visit Sarkozy in prison.
When Sarkozy set off from his apartment in the chic 16th district of Paris in the morning, accompanied by his wife Carla Bruni, supporters, friends and neighbours had gathered on the street.
Sarkozy remained defiant until the end, posting on X a statement repeating his claim that he is innocent.
“I will continue to denounce this judicial scandal,” he wrote in a statement, saying his ordeal had gone on for more than 10 years.
His conviction came after a long investigation, that was based on “a document, the falsification of which has now been established,” he wrote.
No evidence of illegal campaign funds
The Libya affair revolves around allegations that Sarkozy’s 2007 presidential campaign, received illegal funds from the Gaddafi regime.
While the Paris criminal court found no evidence of illegal campaign funds, it concluded in its ruling that the conservative politician and close ally of Gaddafi, had at least attempted to obtain funds from the Libyan leader.
Sarkozy can expect a cell that is neither better nor worse than elsewhere in the prison, measuring between 9 and 12 square metres in size. Like all other inmates, Sarkozy will have a shower in his cell, a refrigerator and a television. The bed is narrow, and there is a small desk.
Upon arrival at the prison, Sarkozy has to undergo the same procedures as all new inmates, according to broadcaster BFMTV. His fingerprints and a photo are taken, and he is issued with a prisoner ID and number, BFMTV said. Sarkozy, like all new inmates, has to undergo a strip search, the broadcaster reported.
He is then provided with hygiene items, clothing, bed linen and writing materials.
Sarkozy’s lawyer Ingrain said, the former president receives one hour of yard time per day, and the right to three visits per week.
Sarkozy has resolved to write a book about his time behind bars during his imprisonment.
GNA