France’s Ex-president Sarkozy Begins Five-year Jail Term Over Libya Funding Scandal

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has begun serving a five-year prison sentence following his conviction for criminal conspiracy in connection with alleged Libyan financing of his 2007 presidential campaign

Sarkozy, who led France from 2007 to 2012, becomes the first former head of an EU country to be jailed, marking a historic moment in French political history. He arrived at La Santé Prison in Paris on Tuesday morning amid tight security, as dozens of supporters gathered outside his residence to show solidarity.

The 70-year-old politician was found guilty by a Paris court in September for his role in what prosecutors described as a secret arrangement with late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi to bankroll his successful 2007 election campaign. The court ruled that the offences were of “exceptional gravity” and ordered that Sarkozy be imprisoned despite his appeal.

Sarkozy has maintained his innocence, dismissing the case as a “political witch-hunt”. In an interview with Le Figaro, he vowed to “face prison with his head held high,” adding that he would spend his time reading The Count of Monte Cristo and a biography of Jesus.

According to court officials, the former president will be held in solitary confinement in a nine-square-metre cell to prevent contact with other inmates. He will be allowed three visits per week and limited outdoor time.

Public opinion in France remains divided. A survey by pollster Elabe showed that six in ten French citizens consider the sentence fair, while others view it as excessive given Sarkozy’s past service to the nation.

The case widely referred to as the “Libya Affair” is one of several legal troubles facing the former president. Earlier, he served part of a separate graft sentence under house arrest with an electronic tag.

While Sarkozy’s legal team has filed an appeal, French law allows the sentence to be executed immediately. His lawyers are expected to request conditional release pending the outcome of the appeal.

President Emmanuel Macron acknowledged meeting Sarkozy at the Élysée Palace days before his incarceration, saying it was “normal, on a human level,” to receive one of his predecessors.

Sarkozy is the first French leader to be imprisoned since Philippe Pétain, the wartime head of the Vichy regime jailed after World War II.