Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Tuesday began serving a five-year prison sentence at La Santé Prison in Paris after his conviction for conspiring to raise campaign funds from late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.
The 70-year-old ex-president arrived at the prison with his wife, Carla Bruni, waving to supporters who chanted “Nicolas! Nicolas!” and sang La Marseillaise. The moment marked a stunning fall for a man who once dominated French politics between 2007 and 2012. Sarkozy is the first French head of state to serve jail time since World War II.
Before entering prison, Sarkozy posted a defiant message on X, insisting that he was innocent.
“It is not a former president of the Republic who is being imprisoned this morning, it is an innocent man,” he wrote.
The ruling followed years of investigations into allegations that Gaddafi secretly funded Sarkozy’s 2007 campaign with millions of euros. Judges said Sarkozy conspired with aides to move the funds, though they found no evidence that he personally handled or spent the money.
Sarkozy’s lawyers have filed an appeal and requested early release, hoping he can regain his freedom by Christmas while the appeal is under review.
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Prison authorities placed Sarkozy in the isolation unit of La Santé for security reasons. His single cell measures about 9 to 12 square meters and includes a private shower, a small desk, and a television available for €14 per month.
Sarkozy told Le Figaro that he brought three books for his first week, including “The Count of Monte Cristo” by Alexandre Dumas — a story about an innocent man wrongfully jailed who later takes revenge.
Sarkozy’s imprisonment has stirred anger among conservatives and the far right. Supporters called the decision “a political vendetta.”
“Nicolas Sarkozy is not a criminal,” said supporter Jacqueline Fraboulet, standing outside the prison. “It feels like the justice system is taking power away from politics, and that’s dangerous for France.”
Despite his conviction, Sarkozy still holds influence within France’s right-wing bloc. President Emmanuel Macron, who maintains warm ties with him, met Sarkozy before his jailing. The visit, along with plans by Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin to see him, sparked criticism from opposition lawmakers who accused the government of interfering in judicial matters.
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Sarkozy’s sentencing highlights a major shift in France’s fight against political corruption. In the past, powerful politicians often avoided jail through suspended sentences or presidential pardons. His case signals that even the most influential leaders must now face justice.
Sarkozy rose from a modest background as the son of a Hungarian immigrant to the highest office in France. As president, he pushed pro-business reforms, raised the retirement age, and loosened labour rules. But his presidency soon faltered under the 2008 global financial crisis, and his reputation never fully recovered.
Now, his imprisonment stands as a warning that political prestige no longer shields anyone from the law.
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.
